3.1 The Basics
For the purpose of this chapter, let’s begin with an initial comparison between the structures of English and Spanish. The idea behind Perfect Compound Tenses is that these express two basic ideas in ONE sole structure:
- 1st – the time of the action or state being referred to and
- 2nd – the fact that such action or state is completed at the time it is being referred to.
Actually, there is nothing “perfect” about the structure. It was called perfect from the Latin “perfectus” which, in its original sense, meant “completed”. Expressed differently, if something is concluded or “perfected”, it needs no further work or attention. I like to say that if you see an auxiliary “have” in front (to the left) of a Verb, two things happen: First, the verb AUTOMATICALLY takes on its Past Participle form, and second, the meaning of that “have” is the equivalent of saying “before now”.
Example:
John has playED chess. = John played chess before now.
Of course, this clause can be further developed:
John has played chess all his life.
So, now, let’s turn our attention to the Spanish Compound Tenses, where the very first striking difference we find is the existence of TWO VERBS in Spanish (Haber/Tener) for the single English (Main Verb and Auxiliary) -HAVE.
First the conjugations:
| Pronoun | Tener (the verb) | Haber (the auxiliary) |
|---|---|---|
| Yo (I) | Tengo | He |
| Tu (you-informal) | Tienes | Has |
| Usted (you-formal) | Tiene | Ha |
| El, ella (he, she) | Tiene | Ha |
| Nosotros (we) | Tenemos | Hemos |
| Ustedes (you) | Tienen | Han |
| Ellos, Ellas (they) | Tienen | Han |
Then, the typical structures of the compound or PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
| (Personal pronoun can be Omitted) |
CaminAR | MordER | SalIR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | HE caminado | HE mordido | HE salido |
| Tu | HAS caminado | HAS mordido | HAS salido |
| Usted | HA caminado | HA mordido | HA salido |
| El/Ella | HA caminado | HA mordido | HA salido |
| Nosotros | HEMOS carminado | HEMOS mordido | HEMOS salido |
| Ustedes | HAN caminado | HAN mordido | HAN salido |
| Ellos/Ellas | HAN caminado | HAN mordido | HAN salido |
Can the verb Haber be the auxiliary of the verb Tener, just like in English the main verb ‘Have’ can be preceded by the modal form have?
Here is a fast, easy, graphic answer:
| I have had | (Yo) he tenido |
| You have had - informal | (Tu) has tenido |
| You have had - formal | (usted) ha tenido |
| He/she/it has had | (el)(ella)(aquel)(aquella) ha tenido |
| We have had | (Nosotros) hemos tenido |
| You have had | (Ustedes) han tenido |
| They have had | (Ellos/Ellas) han tenido |
Some key observations:
The suppression of the pronoun in these sentences is typical of the Spanish, where incessant repetition of the Subject is not necessary, because the form taken by the verb is indicative of the Pronoun expressed.
Look at the following sentences that confirm this:
- He viajado muchas veces a Venezuela.
- Hemos bebido mucho café.
- Han encontrado muchas cartas de Beethoven.
- Tomaron muchas fotos de Niagara Falls.
- Llevaron dos docenas de sanduches.
- He trabajado mucho este mes.
- Ha aprendido a cocinar pescado.
- Ha perdido mucho dinero en ese negocio.
Pronouns: 1. Yo 2. Nosotros 3. Ellos/ellas 4. Ellos/ellas 5. Ellos/ellas 6. Yo 7. El/ella 8. El/ella
What uses does this Present Perfect have in Spanish?
The short answer is that we use it the same as we would in English, when we refer to an action that took place at a moment in the past that is not specified or at a period of time that is still going on (and that somehow has influence on the present).
Examples:
I have learned how to play the guitar. – He aprendido a tocar la guitarra.
(It is not known exactly when I learned, but it is still something I can do)
They have finished their work for today. – Han terminado su trabajo por hoy.
(They concluded their work and continue to have finished their tasks.)
Your professor will provide you with abundant exercises to practice your Spanish Present, past, future and conditional tenses, using these indications.
