Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Uses

• We use the past simple for an action which happened at a stated time in the past or for an action which started and finished in the past. Fred graduated from university in 1997. Pauline went to the dentist three days ago.

• We use present perfect fo an action which happened at an unstated time in the past of for an action which started in the past and is still continuing in the present. Carol has joined the tennis club. He has been a teacher for twenty years.

FOR and SINCE

Open Ended

Is the underlined part of the sentence right or wrong? If not, correct it.

I've bought a new car. You must come and see it.

Open Ended

Is the underlined part of the sentence right or wrong? If not, correct it.

Have you eaten a lot of sweets when you were a child?

FOR

• We use for - a period of time (two hours, six weeks, etc.

• We do not use for + all...(all day /all my life, etc.)

SINCE

• We use since + the start of a period (8 o'clock, Monday, 1999, etc)

• Expressions that go with SINCE:

• It's (a long time / two years, etc.) since something happen

• How long is it since...?

• It's been...since...