Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
perfective
adjective
/pərˈfɛktɪv/
Definition
The perfective aspect in grammar denotes a completed action or state, contrasting with the imperfective aspect which describes ongoing or habitual actions.
Examples
- The verb ‘to eat’ can be used in a perfective sense when it describes an action that has been completed, such as ‘I have eaten.’
- In Russian, the verb ‘сделать’ (sdelat’) means ‘to do’ in the perfective aspect, indicating that the action is finished.
Meaning
Perfective refers to a grammatical aspect that encapsulates actions as complete with respect to the point of view of the speaker.
Synonyms
- completed
- finished
- whole
