Scribd
Upload
282 views

Past Simple Vs Present Perfect

Past simple is used to talk about actions or states that were completed in the definite past, while present perfect is used to describe actions or states that began in the past but have relevance to the present. Specifically: 1) Past simple refers to single, completed events at a specific time in the past, while present perfect can refer to ongoing or repeated events that started in the past and continue to the present. 2) Present perfect is also used to describe lifetime experiences without specifying a particular time, and past simple is used for actions that were completed in sequence. 3) Different time expressions are used with each tense to indicate if an action is anchored to a specific time (past simple) or has relevance

Uploaded by

Maca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
282 views

Past Simple Vs Present Perfect

Past simple is used to talk about actions or states that were completed in the definite past, while present perfect is used to describe actions or states that began in the past but have relevance to the present. Specifically: 1) Past simple refers to single, completed events at a specific time in the past, while present perfect can refer to ongoing or repeated events that started in the past and continue to the present. 2) Present perfect is also used to describe lifetime experiences without specifying a particular time, and past simple is used for actions that were completed in sequence. 3) Different time expressions are used with each tense to indicate if an action is anchored to a specific time (past simple) or has relevance

Uploaded by

Maca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Past simple / Present perfect

Past simple is used: Present perfect is used:


• Actions that finished in a • Actions which happened in an
definite time in the past indefinite time in the past and
with visible results in the present

I bought this car last week.


I have lost my key. (I can’t find it
now)
• To ask when? what time? Have you seen Ann? (She is not
Where? here now)

They have arrived. ≠ • To describe very recent actions


When did they arrive?
She has just moved to a larger
An hour ago.
flat.
Past simple / present perfect
Past simple is used: Present perfect is used:
• For actions which started in the past
and continue in the present
• To talk about past states that
cannot happen again She has lived in this flat since 2005.
She has lived there for three years.
Shakespeare was a writer. He (She still lives there!)
wrote plays and poems. (from
1564 to 1616) • To describe experiences in our lifetime

Have you ever eaten Chinese food?


• For actions which finished in I have already eaten Chop Suey.
the past, one after the other. I haven’t eaten Japanese food yet.
(in your life until now)
She lived in this house for ten ≠ Did you eat Chinese food when you
years and then moved to were in China? Yes, I did.
another one. (sequence of (specific time in the past)
past actions)
Past simple / present perfect
Time expressions: Time expressions:

• Yesterday • Just, recently


• last week (...) • ever, never
• six months ago • already, yet
• in 1975, at 3 o’clock • since, for
• so far
• how long

You might also like