Talking about past (BrE vs AmE)

Talking about the past (BrE vs AmE)

by Sombra English Team

​To talk about past experiences, we normally use...

​Past Simple (when we specify the time or when the action is complete)

​- Sombra was created in 2013.

​- She worked as an HR manager some time ago, but decided to quit.

​

​Present Perfect (when we don't specify the time or when the action is not finished)

​- They have worked on a few Canadian projects before.

​- I have known my teammates for a year.

Multiple Choice

He (live) in Manila for a year when he was a student.

• lived

• has lived

Multiple Choice

(you/see) Julie today? I'm looking for her all day long.

• Did you see

• Have you seen

Multiple Choice

I (visit) the US twice.

• visited

• has visited

• have visited

​We also (normally) use Present Perfect when we talk about past actions with present result

He has broken his leg, so he has nothing to do and is going crazy.

​We also (normally) use Present Perfect when we talk about past actions with present result

​He is shocked because he has realized than Chandler and Monica are secretly dating.

​But! In American English, it is normal to use Past Simple for these situations

Jenny feels great, she has won a prize. (British)

​Jenny feels great, she won a prize. (American)

​

​I can't find my glasses. Have you seen them? (British)

​I can't find my glasses. Did you see them? (American)

Multiple Choice

He got a promotion, so he is throwing a party tonight

• British English

• American English

Multiple Choice

Choose a British English option

• I've seen this film twice, can we please choose something else?

• I saw this film twice, can we please choose something else?

There are also time markers that help us choose the tense

​Past Simple markers: last year, a week ago, in 2020, yesterday, when I studied at university

​

​Present Perfect markers: just, yet, already, since, for, before, recently, ever, never, so far, this week, today

​But! In American (usually spoken) English it is normal to use Past Simple with JUST, YET, ALREADY

• Is Olena here? - She has just left. (British)

• ​Is Olena here? - ​She just left. (American)

​

​

• ​Are you coming to the show? - I've already seen it. (British)

• ​Are you coming to the show? - I already saw it. (American)

Multiple Choice

What do you do with your free time? Did I already ask you that?

• British English

• American English

Multiple Choice

Choose an American English option

• Have you had the reply from the bank yet?

• Did you have the reply from the bank yet?

​Let's Recap

​

Multiple Choice

When we talk about our experiences at specific time in the past, we use:

• Present Perfect both in American and in British English

• Present Perfect in American English, Past Simple in British English

• Present Perfect in BritishEnglish, Past Simple in American English

• Past Simple both in American and in British English

Multiple Choice

When we talk about our experiences and don't specify the time, we use:

• Present Perfect both in American and in British English

• Present Perfect in American English, Past Simple in British English

• Present Perfect in BritishEnglish, Past Simple in American English

• Past Simple both in American and in British English

Multiple Choice

When we talk about our PAST EVENTS with PRESENT RESULT, we use:

• Present Perfect both in American and in British English

• Present Perfect in American English, Past Simple in British English

• Present Perfect in BritishEnglish, Past Simple in American English

• Past Simple both in American and in British English

Multiple Choice

With the words JUST, YET, ALREADY, we use:

• Present Perfect both in American and in British English

• Present Perfect in American English, Past Simple in British English

• Present Perfect in BritishEnglish, Past Simple in American English

• Past Simple both in American and in British English

Multiple Choice

He (never/be) to Spain

• has never been (BrE) /never was (AmE)

• has never been (both)

• never was (both)

• never was (BrE) / has never been (AmE)

Multiple Choice

I (just/see) a very scary face

• have just seen (BrE) / just saw (AmE)

• have just seen (both)

• just saw (both)

• just saw (BrE) / have just seen (AmE)

Multiple Choice

I can't find my laptop anywhere. (You/borrow) it?

• Have you borrowed (BrE) /Did you borrow (AmE)

• Have you borrowed (both)

• Did you borrow (both)

• Did you borrow (BrE) /Have you borrowed (AmE)

Multiple Choice

When (you/start) working at Sombra? - Two years ago

• have you started (BrE)/did you start (AmE)

• have you started (both)

• did you start (both)

• did you start (BrE) /have you started (AmE)

Multiple Choice

Choose the variety (00.00-00.11)

• British English

• American English

Multiple Choice

Choose the variety (02.52-03.00)

• British English

• American English