A2 Grammar: Simple Past vs Present Perfect

We use ​ (a)   to talk about experiences, actions that happened at an unespecified time in the past, or an action that started in the past and continues or is still relevant now (unfinished actions).

We use ​ (b)   to talk about actions or events that started and finished at a specific time in the past (completed actions).

• Present Perfect
• Past Simple

To write sentences, we use the following structures...

Present Perfect Affirmative: ​ (a)  

Present Perfect Negative: ​ (b)  

Past Simple Affirmative: ​ (c)  

Past SImple Negative: ​ (d)   ​ ​

• S + has/have + past participle + extra info
• S + hasn't/haven't + past participle + extra info
• S + past verb + extra info
• S + didn't + infinitive verb + extra info

We use the Present Perfect with FOR and SINCE to talk about unfinished actions, the point in time when an action starts.

We use ​ (a)   when we say the beginning of the time period.

We use ​ (b)   when we say the duration of the time period.

• since
• for

Match the following

• for

• June

• since

• 2:30

• since

• three months

• since

• 2019

We use the Present Perfect with some adverbs to talk about time:

• to talk about something that happened very recently

• already

• for something that happened previously or sooner than expected

• yet

• to ask if something that we expected has happened or to say that something hasn't happened

• just

I haven't cooked dinner ​ (a)   , sorry!

• yet
• already
• just

We've ​ (a)   done our homework, so can we go out?

• already
• just
• yet

Have you fed the cat ​ (a)   ?

• yet
• already
• just

My little brother has ​ (a)   arrived from Cuba.

• just
• yet
• already

Where did you go after school yesterday?

• Past Simple

• Present Perfect