Present

perfect
and
past
simple

Bahito from Algeria asks:

Could you please explain to me the exact

difference between the uses of the present
perfect and past simple tenses, especially
when asking questions?

more
Roger replies:
questions

We use the present perfect when we are considering something

that started in the past and which we want to connect with the
present.

It may be something that started in the recent past, or it may

have started a long time ago. Look at the following examples:

'I've lived in this small village all my life.' (i.e. up to the

present and probably into the future too.)
'I haven't yet visited the capital city and I've only been
to the provincial capital once.' (i.e. in my entire life)
'But I've just passed my driving test and I've bought a
new car (both in the very recent past) and I intend to
travel soon.'

In the affirmative, we often use the

prepositions for or sincewith a time phrase and the
adverbs just and already.

In the negative we often combine the present perfect with the

adverbs never and yet. Look at the way they are used in the
following and the preceding examples.

'She's worked as a doctor for the last twenty five years

and has never been ill herself.'
'I've known Tom's sister since we were at school
together.'
'You've already cleaned the house and prepared lunch
and it's only eleven o'clock. Slow down!

Present perfect: interrogative

When we want to ask questions using the present perfect, we
often use the adverbs ever and yet or use the How
long...?construction.

For the interrogative, we must also remember to invert subject

and verb. Study the following:

'Have you ever tried to swim in the North Sea?' 'No I

never have. It's far too rough.'

li> 'Has the doctor called yet to see mother?' 'Yes, he's
just been.'

'Have you finished your homework?' 'No, not yet. I still

have maths to do.'
'How long have you had that coat?' 'Oh, for about two
years now. It's not new.'
'How long have you been in Britain?' 'I've been here for
two weeks already.

Past simple: affirmative and negative

We use the past simple when we want to refer to actions which

were completed in the past. It is used with a wide variety of past
time phrases or expressions in reply to the question When.?,
such as; earlier this morning, yesterday, last week, from
April until June last year, in 1999, during the
war, between 1985 and 1988, before we got married.

The negative is formed with the auxiliary verb didn't. Study the
following examples:

'I saw Henry at the meeting this morning, but I didn't

see Sue.'
'I bought a lot of language books when I was in
London last week.'
'Over fifteen million people emigrated to the United
States during the 19th century.'
'I didn't have time to finish the article before I left for
work.

Notice that in the past participle in the present perfect, and in

the affirmative in the past simple, regular verbs end in -ed, but
notice also how many common irregular verbs there are in the
above examples. The past simple is the standard tense used to
describe actions which follow each other when telling a story.
But in the following example notice how the present perfect is
used:

'I came home late last night. Fred was in the kitchen but
he didn't say anything. He just looked at me as if to say:
 'I know where you have been.' We ate our supper in
silence and then we went to bed.'

Past simple: interrogative

In the interrogative, we must always remember to use the

auxiliary verb did with normal inversion. It is always associated
with the When...? question and may be used with a wide
variety of other question forms too. Study the following
examples:

It is early evening in Henry's home in the country.

Henry: Hello Sheila. I didn't expect to see you here.

Sheila: Oh, I've been here for quite a while.
Henry: When did you arrive?
Sheila: Just after lunch.
Henry: Did Patrick pick you up from the station?
Sheila: No, it was a nice day so I walked.
Henry: Have you eaten anything since you've been here?
Sheila: Yes, I had afternoon tea with the girls.
Henry: What did you think of Penny?
Sheila: She's grown up a lot since I last saw her.
Henry: And how did you find Rebecca?
Sheila: She didn't join us. I haven't seen her yet.

Now see if you can write a dialogue combining the past simple
and present perfect.

Present Perfect Tense: Simple Past vs Present Perfect vs Present Perfect

Continuous

Simple Past

1. The simple past is used to talk about completed actions in the past

2. The simple past is often used with expressions that refer to points of time in the
past

at 4 o'clock/2.12/the end of year/Christmas

on Tuesday/19th March/the 21st/New Year's Day
in January/1999/the 1990s/summer
yesterday/yesterday morning/last Monday/next April/a few days ago/ the
no prepositions
day before yesterday/when I was young

Present perfect simple

3. Present perfect is used to talk about a present situation which is a result of

something that happened at an unspecified time in the past.
Therefore we do not use specific time expression such as yesterday, last week,
etc.

I have given your article about networking to professor.

(I gave him your article and he has it now.)
4. The present perfect is often used with the word just to talk about actions that
have taken place very recently. The exact time is not mentioned.
You cannot meet Mrs Jones. She has just left.
Notice. The difference between have been and have gone
I am afraid Mrs. Jones as not here at the moment. She has gone to the meeting in
Brussels.
(She is still at the meeting.)
Anita has been to the travel agent. She has her tickets for USA.
(She went to the travel agent and has returned.)
5. The present prefect is often used with the words ever and never to talk about
general life experience.
Have you ever worked abroad.
(i.e., In all your life up to now?)
I have never been to China.
(i.e., Not in all your life up to now.)
The present perfect with ever is often followed by the simple past. We use the
simple past to give more information about completed action, when referring to a
specific time or context.
Have you ever been in Malaysia?
Yes, I have. I was in Kuala Lumpur at INET'97 when I worked in KPI.
6. The present perfect is often used with already and yet.

Already is used in positive sentences.

(Already )It often indicates that something has taken place slightly earlier that
expected.

She has already printed this page.

(Note. NOT: She has printed already...)
Yet is used in negatives and questions. It shows that we expect an action will take
place if it has not happened up to now.
Have you talked to Peter yet?
(Note. NOT: Have you talked yet to Peter?)
I have not talked to him yet.
(Note. NOT: I have not talked yet to him.)
7. The present perfect is often used with prepositions or prepositional phrases
indicating periods of time that have not finished yet.
Common examples are: today, this morning, this month, this year, so far, to
date, over the last few weeks, up to now, etc.
This week we have received a lot of enquiries about our new web site.
(The week has not finished yet, and there may be more enquiries.)
If we are speaking about a situation after one of these time periods, we use the
simple past because we are referring to a period of time that has finished.
Have you seen John this morning?
(It is now 10.30 in the morning; and the morning has not finished.)
Did you see John this morning.
(It is now 3.00 in the afternoon; the morning has finished.)
8. Stative verbs + for and since

The present perfect simple is often used with for and since and stative verbs to talk
about things that began in the past and have continued up to now.

I have known about the plans to spin off this service from the company. (And I
know now.)
9. We use for to talk about the duration of a period of time and since to talk about
when a period started

for ten minutes/six days/two months/three years/ a long time/ages/etc.

9.30/Monday/the 14th/last week/August/1998/I graduated from
since
university/etc.
I have been with my department for three years.
I have been in Internet technologies since 1992.
10. How long ...?, for and since

To ask questions about periods of time, we can use How long ...? + the present
perfect

How long have you been in Amsterdam? I have been here since September
/ for six months.
Note. COMMON MISTAKE: We do not use the present simple tense
with for and since to talk about something which began in the past and has gone
on up to the present.
WRONG: I am here since January.
RIGHT: I have been here since January.
11. Negatives

We can use the present perfect negative to talk about the amount of time that has
passed between now and last time something happened.

We haven't received any messages from him for several months / since the last
working group meeting.
12. Completed actions over a period of time

If we talk about a completed action (particularly if we give details about how

much, how many, etc.), we can use the present perfect and since (but not for). We
can also use other phrases of duration such asto date, recently, over the past two
years, etc. The action itself is finished, but the period of time extends up to the
present.

The Commission has launched three new programs since December.

Present perfect simple vs Present perfect continuous

13. Unfinished activities

Present perfect continuous is used with for, since, and How long ...? and other
expressions of duration (e.g., all month), to talk about activities that started
happening in the past and are still happening now. The activity may have been
going on continuously or repeated several times.

They have been coordinating network development for 5 years.

(They started coordinating 5 years ago . They are still coordinating network
developement.)
However, we normally use the present perfect simple with the stative verbs, or
about a situation we consider permanent.
I have lived in Kiev all my life (NOT: I have been living ...)
14. Finished and unfinished activities

We use the present perfect simple if we are talking about a completed action,
particularly if we give details of how much or how many. we use the present
perfect continuous when something is still going on.

I've written a report for Peter. (It is finished.)

I've been writing a report about international characters usage. (I am still writing
it.)
15. Negatives: Present perfect simple vs Present perfect continuous
In the negative, the focus on the present perfect simple is on the amount of time
that has passed since something happened. The focus of the present perfect
continuous is on the verb itself.

I haven't met him for six months. (The last time was six months ago.)
I haven't been feeling well recently. (This has been continuing for days.)
16. Recently finished activities

We use present perfect continuous to talk about an activity that was in progress,
but has just finished. Normally there is some evidence.

The ground is very wet. It has been raining.

Summary of Usage:
Simple Past vs Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous

The Simple Past We normally use the simple past to
talk about actions that took place at
a time that is separated from the
present.
It is used with expressions
like yesterday, on Monday, last
week, in 1998, etc.
We can use the simple past
and for to talk about something that
happened during a period that has
now finished.
The Present The present perfect is used to talk
Perfect Simple about the present result of past
actions and recent events, and often
used with words like ever, never,
just, already, yet, and phrases of
unfinished time such as so far.
The Present The present perfect can be used
Perfect Simple with for and since and stative verbs,
+ for and since or to refer to actions that are seen as
long term or permanent.
We use for to talk about the
duration of the period of time
and since to talk about the starting
point of an action or state.
It is also used in the negatives
with for and since to talk about the
last time something took place
Last month Vodafon launched a
takeover bid for Airtouch.
He did his PhD at Delft Technical
University.
He lived in Amsterdam for five
years; then he came back to
England.
A2000 has cut installation price for
Internet over TV cable network by
30%.
Have you ever tried Swiss wine.
I have been with my
department for three years.
I have been in Internet
technologies since 1992.
I haven't met him for six month.
I haven't been feeling well
recently.
 The Commission has
It is used with since to talk about
launched three new
completed action.
programs since December.
The Present The present perfect continuous can The Commission has been
Perfect be used with for and since to talk coordinating network
Continuous about activities that have gone on development for 5 years.
repeatedly or continuously for a
period of time, and are still going
on.

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Present Perfect and Simple Past Verb Tenses

Tuesday April 5th 2016

Question

What is the difference between the present perfect and the simple past? Medshel, Saudi Arabia

Answer

Use the simple past when the action started in the past, finished in the past, and is not
continuing now. Use the present perfect when the action started in the past and is continuing
now.
The simple past tells us that an action happened at a certain time in the past, and is not
continuing anymore. It doesn't tell us anything about when an action happened, so more
information needs to be given with this verb form, such as when the action took place.
The present perfect tells us that an action started in the past and it is still happening now, or it is
something that happens regularly. We may need more information to tell us how long it has been
going on. It may also tell us that the time period it started in is still going on.
The following example sentences show the different meanings when using the two verb tenses.

The sun rose at 6:00 am. (Simple Past: We know that the sun came up at a time in the
past and it is not rising now. The sun may or may not be in the sky when this statement is
made. The time is important to add.)
The sun has risen. (Present perfect: We know that the sun already rose, and it is still in
the sky now.)

Jackson ate lunch early. (Simple Past: Eating lunch has started and ended in the past.
Someone might say this when the time for eating lunch has also ended. Lunch happened
early, and it is over now.)
 Jackson has eaten lunch. (Present Perfect: Jackson started and finished eating lunch in

the past, but lunch time is still going on. Someone might
say this when others are preparing to eat lunch, and they want to know whether Jackson
will join them.)

Jeff was friends with Kelly when he was a kid. (Simple Past: This tells us that Jeff is not
friends with Kelly anymore, and the additional information tells us when he was friends
with her in the past.)
Jeff has been friends with Kelly since he was a kid. (Present perfect: This tells us that
Jeff was friends with Kelly before now and is still friends with her now. The friendship is
continuing, and the additional information tells us how long it has been going on.)

She lived in Paris for a year. (Simple Past: This action started and finished in the past.
She no longer lives in Paris. It is important to know the action lasted for a year.)
She has lived in Paris for a year. (Present perfect: This action started in the past and is
still going on now; it has not finished. She lives in Paris now, and additional information
tells us how long she has lived there.)

Meg ran two marathons last year. (Simple Past: We know Meg ran two marathons in the
past, and the time period the action started in and finished inlast yearhas ended.)
Meg has run two marathons this year. (Present perfect: We know Meg started running
marathons this year. However, this year has not ended and she may run more marathons
before the end of the year.)

I hope this helps.

Form

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular
verbs
Example:
I spoke Example:
I / you / we / they have spoken
he / she / it has spoken

regular verbs: infinitive + ed regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed

Example: Example:
I worked I / you / we / they have worked
 he / she / it has worked

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding 'ed':

when the final letter is e, only add d

Example:
love - loved

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example:
admit - admitted

final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example:
travel - travelled

after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)

Example:
worry - worried
but: play - played

See also explanations on Simple Past and Present Perfect Simple

Use
In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. As soon
as a time expression in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are
no signal words, you must decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if its
consequence in the present is important.

Note that the following explanations and exercises refer to British English only. In
American English, you can normally use Simple Past instead of Present Perfect. We
cannot accept this in our exercises, however, as this would lead to confusions
amongst those who have to learn the differences.

Certain time in the past or just / already / yet?

Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even
if it was just a few seconds ago) or that an action has just / already / not
yet happened?
 Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

certain time in the past just / already / not yet

Example: Example:
I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago. I have just phoned Mary.

Certain event in the past or how often so far?

Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how often an
action has happened till now?

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

certain event in the past whether / how often till now

Example: Example:
He went to Canada last summer. Have you ever been to Canada? / I have been to
Canada twice.

Emphasis on action(past) or result(present

prefect)?
Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to
emphasise the result (a past action's consequence in the present)?

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

Emphasis on action Emphasis on result

Example: Example:
I bought a new bike. (just telling I have bought a new bike. (With this sentence I actually
what I did in the past.) want to express that I have a new bike now.)
 Present perfect uses
1:- (Already )It often indicates that something has taken
place slightly earlier that expected.
example
Parents:-Dinesh do this
Son:- I have already done.
2:- When RESULT is important then also present perfect.
We have won the match(match chahe kal jeeta tha , par jab
main bata raha hu Result par emphasis kar raha hu)

Signal Words

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

yesterday just
... ago already
in 1990 up to now
the other day until now / till now
last ... ever
(not) yet
so far
lately / recently

Exercises on Simple Past and Present Perfect Simple

Certain time in the past
or just / already / yet: Exercise 1, Exercise 2
Exercise 1
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. Mother: I want to prepare dinner. Have you washed the dishes yet?
2. Daughter: I washed the dishes yesterday, but I have not had the time yet to do it
today.
3. Mother: Have you already done your homework?
4. Daughter: No, I have just come home from school.
5. Mother: You came home from school two hours ago!
6. Daughter: Well, but my friend Lucy called when I arrived and I have just finished the
phone call.
7. Mother: Didn't you see Lucy at school in the morning?
8. Daughter: Yes, but we did not have time to talk then.

Exercise 2
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. A: I have just cycled 50 km.

2. B: I cycled 100 km last week.
3. A: I wrote an essay yesterday.
4. B: I have already written two essays this term.
5. A: I have just rung my friend.
6. B: I rang my friend 10 minutes ago.
7. A: Two days ago, I watched a Madonna concert on TV.
8. B: I have already seen Madonna live in concert.
9. A: I spent my summer holiday in Australia last year.
10. B: I have not been to Australia yet.

Certain event in the past or how often so far:

: Exercise 3, Exercise 4
Exercise 3
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. A: Have you ever been to London?

2. B: Yes, I have been there three times.
3. A: When was the last time you were there?
4. B: Last summer. I spent two weeks in Brighton with my parents and we went to
London one weekend.
5. Did you like it?
6. Oh yes. We really had a great time in London.
7. Lucky you! I have never been to London.

0 out of 9 answers are correct.

Exercise 4

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. A: Have you ever tried haggis?

2. B: Oh, yes!
3. A: How often have you eaten haggis yet?
4. B: Two times exactly.
5. A: When did you first eat haggis?
6. B: That was in 2005. We had a Scottish festival in our town and they
also sold traditional Scottish food. So Ibought haggis.
7. A: Did you like it?
8. B: It was not too bad. And I did not know anything about haggis then.
9. A: When did you find out ?
10. B: When I was in Scotland in 2007. I went to a restaurant and ordered haggis.
Afterwards, the waiter told me about haggis: it's the heart, liver and lungs of a sheep,
boiled in the animal's stomach. Well, I have never eaten haggis again since then.

0 out of 16 answers are correct.

Emphasis on action or result: Exercise 5, Exercise

6

Exercise 5
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. A: Have you bought the tickets for our journey yet?

2. B: Yes, I went to the station yesterday and bought the tickets.
3. A: What time did you go there?
4. B: I took a friend to the station in the morning. His train left at 9:45.
5. A: Have you packed your bags yet?
6. B: Of course. And I have already asked my neighbour to empty my letter box. What
about you?
7. B: I packed my bags two days ago.

Exercise 6
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. Yesterday, my brother came home from school, switched on the TV and watched TV
until dinner was ready.
2. Oh no, it's raining and I have left my umbrella at home.(RESULT)
3. Look! There is so much food left. Nobody has eaten anything.
4. Where were you yesterday? - I went to the shopping centre and bought a new
computer game.
5. Why don't you want to play football with us this weekend? - I have broken my leg.
6. The road is closed. There has been an accident.
7. I had an accident when I was in Manchester last year.
8. Come on, let's celebrate! Our team has won the match(RESULT )When result is
important then use present prefect and not past indefinite we won the match but we
emphasis on result that is why using present perfect)

Mix: Exercise 7, Exercise 08

Exercise 7
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. A: Have you already played the new computer game?

2. B: No, not yet. I only bought it yesterday and I have not had the time yet.
3. A: Did you go to the cinema last night?
4. B: Yes. I was there with Sue and Louis. Have you been to the cinema recently?
5. A: I last went to the cinema two weeks ago.
6. B: So you have not seen the new action film yet.
7. A: No, unfortunately not. Did you enjoy it?
8. B: Oh, I really loved it. But Sue did not like it - too much action!
9. A: But why did you take her with you? She told me last week that she hated action
films.
10. B: I think she has an eye on Louis. She tried to flirt with him all the time. So he could not
concentrate on the film.

0 out of 16 a

Exercise 8
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. I have just finished my homework.

2. Mary has already written five letters. (present perfect is used when you show
before time means before time expected).
3. Tom moved to this town in 1994.
4. My friend was in Canada two years ago.
5. I have not been to Canada so far.
6. But I have already travelled to London a couple of times.
7. Last week, Mary and Paul went to the cinema.
8. I can't take any pictures because I have not bought a new film yet.
9. Did they spend their holiday in New Zealand last summer?
10. Have you ever seen a whale?

Exercise on the text Grand Canyon

Exercise on the text Edinburgh

Tests on Simple Past and Present