<p>I understand when to use past and present tense. However, can you give me a detailed explanation on when to use the perfect tense?</p>
<p>For example, I have this sentence: Rose kept the promise she had given to Charles last year in India. However, it's supposed to be: Rose kept the promise she gave to Charles last year in India. </p>
<p>PLease give me a detailed explanation on when to use the perfect tense, not just why the above sentence is wrong.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Go here: <a href="http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfect.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfect.html</a></p>
<p>I find that learning another language always improves English grammar. Do you take any languages? You would most likely learn more about all the tenses in Spanish/German/Latin class than in English class.</p>
<p>"Had given" is actually past perfect tense, not perfect tense (no such thing). Present perfect tense would be "has given." Simple past tense would be gave. As far as I remember, you use past perfect tense for actions started and finished in the past. </p>
<p>The retired actor had gone to Andover High School. The sentence means he attended Andover for a number of years in the distant past. The tense used in the sentence is past perfect. </p>
<p>I have done martial arts since childhood. This is perfect tense. The action was started in the past, but continues into the present. </p>
<p>I went to school yesterday. This is simple past. Use it when a specific an action refers to a specific instance in time. </p>
<p>Past perfect tense has "had" in front of the verb (ie. I had gone, he had done, we had written). </p>
<p>Present perfect tense has either has or have in front of the verb (ie. I have made, he has tried). </p>
<p>Hope this, at least somewhat, helps. My teacher was really amazing this year, but it's easy to get confused.</p>