Phrasal verbs might be one of the most confusing parts of the English language for many students, but do you know what really takes the cake? The present perfect tense (e.g., I’ve just started working on a new course on phrasal verbs). Wait… let’s pause for a second and clarify something. There’s actually a difference between verb tense and verb aspect. So technically, we shouldn’t even be calling it the “present perfect tense”… but hey, we do, so let’s roll with it. Maybe understanding the difference between tense and aspect will help you wrap your head around this tricky construction.
Tense tells you when an action happens—past, present, or future. Aspect, on the other hand, describes how the action is viewed—whether it’s ongoing, completed, or happening repeatedly. So, is the present perfect considered a present tense? Surprisingly, yes! But why, if we use it to talk about the past, like in “I’ve watched this movie several times”? Here’s the thing: the present perfect focuses on the present effect of a past action. If you’ve watched a movie several times, you’re not just saying when you watched it. You’re connecting that past action to this current moment—like, right now, you’re someone who has seen that movie before. Think of it this way: the present perfect is like looking at the past through a pair of present-day glasses. It’s all about the "now" effect of the "then" action.
