Present perfect and Simple past

Present perfect and Simple past

By Izabela Margonar

Multiple Choice

When do we use present perfect?

• An action that started in the past and it's already finished

• An action that started in the present it's still happening

• An action that started in the past and has consequences in the present

• An action that will happen in the future

Multiple Choice

When do we use the simple past tense?

• An action that started in the past and it's already over

• An action that started in the past and it's still happening

• An action that started in the past and keeps happening

• An action that started in the past and repeat in the future

Let's learn the key differences between Present perfect and Simple past!!!!!​

Simple past

• Talks about actions/situations/events that started in the past and ​they have already finished;

• The main focus when using the simple past is in the action, not in their consequences​ or results;

• Usually tells us when the event/action happened; ​

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Let's learn the key differences between Present perfect and Simple past!!!!!​

Present perfect​

• Events that may be ongoing or completed but usually, the events took place recently and the time is unspecified;

• ​It is still connected to the present in some way;

• The focus is on the consequences/results of the situations/events;

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I’ve worked as a teacher since 2011​​.

I have seen the Eiffel Tower.​

​(The present perfect tense expresses experience or result.)

Present perfect​

I talked to Maria on the phone five minutes ago.

I saw the Eiffel Tower in 2007.

(The past simple tense indicates series of finished actions or repeated actions)​

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Simple past​

Let's see some examples​

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• ​Already

• Just

• ​Yet

• Ever

• Never​

• Since.​

Present perfect​

• Yesterday

• On Monday

• Five minutes ago

• ​Last Saturday

• In ​the 20th century, etc.

Simple past​

Some time phrases to help you to distinguish the two verbal tenses

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Fill in the Blanks

Peter

(play) football yesterday.

Fill in the Blanks

They

(clean) the car. It looks new again!

Multiple Choice

We _____ another country before.

• visited

• have never visit

• never visited

• have never visited

Multiple Choice

Janet ____ for Smith and Brothers before she came to work for us.

• worked

• has never worked

• has worked

• work

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is NOT correct?

• There has just been an earthquake in Japan.  

• There has been an earthquake in Japan.

• There has been an earthquake in Japan last night.

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

• ‘Great news! Jane has had a baby!’

2. The present perfect can be used with phrases relating to unfinished time, such as: this week, today, this year

• I’ve seen Roger twice this week.

• That’s the second time I’ve seen that film this year.

3. The present perfect is often used in sentences with these words: just, yet, already, ever, never

• I’ve just finished the report.

• Karen has finished the book already.

• I haven’t finished the report yet.

• I’ve never been to Spain. Have you ever been?

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Multiple Choice

‘I ____ out last Friday.’

• haven’t been  

• have gone 

• didn’t go

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is NOT correct?

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

• Alan has just arrived.  

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

Multiple Choice

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 live somewhere else. 

• They still live in Canada now. 

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

Multiple Choice

What is the correct reply?

Jack has broken his leg.

• Oh no! How did he do that? 

• Oh no! How has he done that?  

• Oh no! What’s happened?