Past Simple and Present Perfect

Past Simple and Present Perfect

In this lesson we will review how to combine Past Simple and Present Perfect

Past simple

As we already know, past simple is used for completed events in the past.

The completed event refers to a specific time

• I went to London yesterday.

• Danny grew up on a Scottish island when he was little.

• Three million people watched the game last saturday.

• Adam Harvey won the Junior Surfing Championship in 2009.

• I visited my grandmother two months ago.

• My older brother took me to the beach the day before.

Multiple Choice

I went t the mall _____

• Yesterday

• Before

Multiple Choice

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande won a Grammy

• in 2021

• on 2021

Multiple Choice

I became a teacher _____

• Since 2010

• In 2010

Present Perfect

We use present perfect to refer to an event in the past which have a connection to the present.

The event happens in an unspecified time in the past.

• I have seen that movie before (it doesn't say when they saw the movie)

• I have never been to Paris

• I have always enjoyed surfing since I was a kid (It doesn't specify when he started doing surfing)

• She has just gotten her exam results

• They have already eaten too much

• We haven't competed in any contest yet

Multiple Choice

I have visited this country

• in 1995

• before

Multiple Choice

She has never played basketball

• Ever

• Before

• Always

Multiple Choice

Jean has _____ wanted a summer hat.

• Always

• Ever

• Since

For and Since

For and since can be used with unfinished events or actions.

For expresses quantity in years, days, weeks, months, and so forth.

• Ender has been in his room for three days. (Ender is still inside his room)

• Carmen has lived in Milan for five years. (Carmen still lives in Milan)

• M.J. has acted in Broadway for decades. (M.J. still acts in Broadway)

• Ramona has had many dates for the past three months. (Ramona is still dating people)

Since makes reference to a point in time.

• Nintendo has sold toys and videogames since 1889 (They started in 1889, but they are still a strong company)

• Cristiano Ronaldo has played in the professional leagues since 2002 (CR started playing in 2002, and he is still playing)

• Chaka Khan has written and sung music since 1973 (She has been active since 1973 and she is still active)

• BlackPink has collaborated with different female western singers since 2018 (They collaborated with Dua Lipa in that year and they collaborated with Lady Gaga in 2020, they are planning more collaborations)

Remember!

Use time expressions depending on the message you want to give

Multiple Choice

I have _____ a dress, I prefer to wear jeans

• Never wanted

• Ever wanted

• Always wanted

Multiple Choice

On Monday, she _____ and bought a lottery ticket.

• Has gone to the shop

• Had gone to the shop

• Went to the shop

Multiple Choice

I have taught ELA

• For 2009

• For I was young

• Since three years

• Since I was young

Multiple Choice

I lost my notebook _____ ! Have you seen it?

• Since 1995

• For a moment ago

• This morning

• That day

Multiple Choice

Tricia has _____ bought in the same shop for many years; they sell her favorite muffins.

• Never

• Ever

• Since

• Always

Multiple Choice

Have you _____ watched Kpop Music videos? They are very flashy

• Since

• Never

• Ever

• For

Multiple Choice

My bestie stayed home _____ because she was feeling ill

• Since a week

• For a week ago

• For a week

Multiple Select

What did you buy _____?

• Yesterday

• Since yesterday

• This morning

• For a week?

Multiple Select

Have you been to Shinjuku _____?

• Two years ago

• Before

• Already

• Just

Multiple Select

Lauren called me, she says:

• She saw you this morning

• She ever saw you this morning

• She saw you still this morning

• She has seen you this morning

Some final tips:

• You can mix and match the narrative tenses in order to make your speech more interesting and to practice your Speaking.

• Some time expressions can be used with different tenses, try to use them all.

• Past simple can be combined with: Past progressive, past perfect simple and present perfect simple to create interesting stories.

Open Ended

Tell me something you did yesterday, make it interesting:

Open Ended

Tell me something you have never done but you have always wanted to do (use the present perfect):

Open Ended

Have you practiced English this past months? What did you do to practice?

Open Ended

What has been the most terrifying movie you have ever watched? Why?