Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Present Perfect vs Past Simple

The present perfect tense is often used to tell up-to-date news.

‘Great news! Jane has had a baby!’

Examples

Great news! Jane has had a baby yesterday!’

So, to ask about and give more details, you need to use the past simple.

‘Great news! Jane has had a baby!’

‘When did she have it?’

‘She had it last night!’

Present perfect vs Past simple

The present perfect and past simple may appear in the same sentence:

I’ve lived here since I was a child.

Tom has been unemployed since he left the factory.

Remember

The past simple can be used with phrases relating to finished time, such as:

yesterday, last week, last month, in 2010, two weeks ago

Remember

The present perfect is used to describe periods of time that start in the past and continue until the present. It is often used with for and since.

I’ve lived here for five years.

James has worked here since last summer.

Now...

Ready for some practice?

Multiple Choice

Which question follows this statement?

‘I’ve been to New York.

• Really? When have you gone?

• Really? When did you go?

• Really? When you have gone?

Multiple Choice

Complete the sentence.

‘I ____ out last Friday.’

• haven’t been

• have gone

• didn’t go

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is NOT correct?

• He’s recently got a new job in Frankfurt.

• Alan has just arrived.

• I’ve bought a new mobile phone two days ago

Multiple Choice

Which word can complete the sentence?

I haven’t seen him ____.

• yet

• yesterday

• last night

Multiple Choice

Which word CANNOT go in the space?

I’ve _____ spoken to James about the meeting.

• just

• already

• yet

Multiple Choice

Which words complete the sentence?

I _______ Helen since we _______ at school together.

• knew / ‘ve been

• know / were

• ‘ve known / were

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is true?

My parents have lived in Canada for three years.

• They used to live in Canada but now they are dead.

• They used to live in Canada but now they live somewhere else.

• They still live in Canada now.

Multiple Choice

What is the correct reply?

Jack has broken his leg.

• Oh no! What’s happened?

• Oh no! How has he done that?

• Oh no! How did he do that?

Multiple Choice

Which words can complete the sentence below?

I’ve telephoned Mike ___________

• three times this week

• three times last week.

• yesterday.

Well done!!

Thanks!!