Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Capo]

OK had a question i couldn't explain effectively today so i am asking for help.

why do you use the word eaten instead of ate when the word has came before?
for example he has eaten lunch
and he ate lunch

why can't you say he has ate or he eaten, all i can say is i know you can't

[Ya-ta Boy]

'he ate' is the simple past tense. It's used when we focus on the idea that the action is finished, usually at a definite time in the past.

He ate lunch at 12:15.

'he has eaten' is the present perfect tense. It's used to indicate an indefinite time in the past, or an action that started in the past and is expected to continue.

He has eaten lunch. (We don't know, or don't care to mention, the time.)

He has eaten at that restaurant once a week for several months. (He started eating there, eats there regularly, and we think he will probably continue to eat there.)

[Capo]

Thanks

[Capo]

Thanks

[The Cosmic Hum]

Yata has it bang on...

perfect verb forms are made with have + past participle
You can always recognize the perfect tense by the use of the words...
have, has, had
Conjugating the verb eat
present - eat
past - ate
past participle - eaten
Conjugating verbs is common enough...most of your students will understand the perfect tense when it is explained clearly to them.
To answer your question directly..
He has ate. This is in poor form because has requires the past participle of eat..which is eaten. He has eaten.
He eaten. This again is in poor form because eaten would require the perfect form...has...otherwise it would be a case of simple past tense...He ate.

Hope this is of some use to you.

[mountainous]

I could substitute "ate" for "has eaten" in most instances.