Bonjour Susan, Aurélie addresses this in the opening statement on the lesson: «Here is a sentence in English using 'when' to express an action that will have been completed in the future before another action: When I have finished my work, I will watch TV. When I finish my work, I will watch TV. Notice how the verb after 'when' is in the Present Perfect or Present tense.» I hope you find this useful. bonne chance

I guess my questions is really what is the present perfect?

Bonjour, From the Education First website, we have this definition of the Present Perfect tense: "DEFINITION OF THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE The present perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the action is before now but not specified, and we are often more interested in the result than in the action itself." Here is an explanation of the uses of the Present Perfect tense: "THE PRESENT PERFECT IS USED TO DESCRIBE An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present. I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.) An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.) A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now. We have visited Portugal several times. An action that was completed in the very recent past, expressed by 'just'. I have just finished my work. An action when the time is not important. He has read 'War and Peace'. (= the result of his reading is important) Note: When we want to give or ask details about when, where, who, we use the simple past. Read more about choosing between the present perfect and the simple past tenses." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I, myself, had to reread this to refresh the present perfect. Here is the page link for this site: http://www.ef.com/english-resources/english-grammar/present-perfect/ And here are a couple more links that address this English tense: http://www.englishtenses.com/tenses/present_perfect https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_present-perfect.htm https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/present%20perfect https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hopefully, by reviewing these links, you will grasp a better understanding of this verb tense. Bonne chance et bonne continuation dans vos études en français.

It appears that the Present Perfect is a term for English grammar. What is the french equivalent?

I think we have come full circle: Notice how the verb after 'when' is in the Present Perfect or Present tense. Quand j'aurai fini mon travail, je regarderai la télé. When I have finished my work, I'll watch TV. Nous irons au cinéma quand nous aurons rangé notre chambre. We'll go to the cinema when we have tidied our room. Quand elle sera arrivée chez nous, la fête commencera. When she's arrived at our place, the party will start. Notice how in French you use the le Futur Antérieur after quand in order to show that this action will come before the other one. The French equivalent is. . . . . . . le Futur Antérieur.