Present Perfect vs Past Simple (for, since, yet, already, just)

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!’ X Incorrect

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?

Past Simple vs Present Perfect

Past Simple

We use the past simple for:

an action which happened at a stated time in the past

Example:

Peter bought a new CD last week

When? Last week

We use the past simple for:

an action that started and finished in the past

Example:

Sue had the flu for two veeks.

(She hasn't got the flu anymore )

Present Perfect

We use the present Perfect for:

an action which happened at an unstated time in the past

David has bought a lot of CDs.

(When? We don't know. The time is not stated.)

We use the present Perfect for

an action whlch started in the past and is still continuing in the present.

Lisa has had a cold for three days.

(She has still got a cold)

TIME EXPRESSIONS IN PRESENT PERFECT

Time expressions used with the present perfect:

since,

already,

for,

just,

yet,

ever,

never, etc.

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

Choose the correct verb:

Julie has sent/sent Mary several text messages

last night.

• has sent

• sent

Multiple Choice

Dave is going to recycle his old computer' He has had/had it for over 10 Years.

• has had

• had

Multiple Choice

Have you ever used/Did you ever use Flickr to share photographs?

• Have you ever used

• Did you ever use

Multiple Choice

We have had/had a great time playing video games at Paul's house last night.

• have had

• had

Multiple Choice

Jane bought/has bought a new mobile phone yesterday.

• bought

• has bought

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

For & Since

Today we learn to diferience for & Since

Copy this setences

* For = A period of time

* Since = A specific date or time in the past

Look the examples of

For & Since

Let's practice

• more examples

Multiple Choice

It has been raining .. a long time

• for

• since

Multiple Choice

Bella has lived here ... 2012

• for

• since

Multiple Choice

I have been working at this company ... five years

• for

• since

Multiple Choice

That restaurant has been open ... this morning

• for

• since

Present perfect: yet, already & just

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 di that?

• Oh no! How did he do that?

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 words can complete the sentence below?

I’ve telephoned Mike ___________

• three times this week

• three times last week.

• yesterday.

Multiple Choice

They have ...................run the marathon.

• already

• yet

• ever

Multiple Choice

Pedro and Leticia..................just finished their homework.

• have

• has

Multiple Choice

Has she ever....................a letter to her mom?

• wrote

• write

• written

Multiple Choice

I have not cheated during in an exam.............

• already

• just

• yet

Multiple Choice

I have not read a book .......

• already

• just

• yet

Multiple Choice

I have..............understood the English class. We can go to the party!

• already

• ever

• yet

Multiple Choice

Bill: Do you want to borrow this book?

Ric: No thanks. I have __________ read it. I read it last year. It was a difficult reading.

• just

• yet

• already

Multiple Choice

Mom: Switch the TV off! It's late!

Me: But the film hasn't finished ___________

• just

• yet

• already

Well done!!

Thanks!!