- The present perfect is used for actions that began in the past that have a connection to the present.
- In the present perfect, the time is generally unspecified.
- The past simple is used for actions that have been completed in the past.
- In the past simple, the time is specified.
How to teach past simple vs present perfect?
Teach some 'rules of thumb', of which the soundest, although less easy to apply is: Rule of thumb 1. You use the perfect if you want to connect a past situation to the present in some way. You use the past simple if you want to separate the past from the present: Where have you been? (= from the time I last saw you to now) When did Jill phone?
What are some examples of present perfect?
These are some examples of sentences using the present perfect and the word since:
- I have worked here since April
- I have spent three months in Jail since my arrest
- She has been here since last Tuesday
- She has saved a lot of money since she finished the university
- We haven’t seen the suspect since last week
- He hasn’t seen his girlfriend since last year
- They have talked to each other since the last time they fought
Is present perfect and past simple interchangeable?
Present Perfect vs Simple Past: A Comparison. In English, you need to use the present perfect and the simple past to talk about things that already happened. For this reason, it can be easy to confuse when you need to use each verb tense. However, they are not interchangeable. This means that you cannot use a verb in the present perfect in a ...
How to use present perfect tense?
The present perfect tense is used in the following situations:
- Actions that have occurred at an unspecified time in the past. When you name a specific time in the past, you use the past tense. ...
- To describe an action done repeatedly at an indefinite time in the past. ...
- To describe recent events associated with the present time. ...
- To describe an event or action that began in the past but continues up to the present. ...
What is the difference between present perfect and simple past form?
In Example B, the Simple Past form means the activity started in the past and finished, whereas in Present Perfect it started in the past and still continues to the present.
What is present perfect?
Present Perfect is also used for events in the past, but over an extended period of time. The period can be specified/known (see first timeline) or unspecified/unknown (second timeline). Specified, or a specific period of time in the past, normally uses the words for or since. Complete the conversations with the correct present perfect form of the verb in parentheses. Once finished, see the answers below.
What is the past simple form?
Simple Past is normally understood as a completed event that happened a specific point in the past. Complete the conversations with the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses. Once finished, see the answers below.
Is it difficult to use the past tense?
In fact, using the past tense is difficult for many English learners, so you are not alone! These exercises will teach you the rules of each verb tense, describe some of the differences, and provide you opportunities to practice. To understand the difference between the two past verb tenses, see the timeline below.
Is the simple past the same as the present perfect?
In general, simple past refers to a specific time in the past, whereas present perfect is an unspecified time. In addition, the meaning of the sentences changes when more specific information (e.g. dates, times) is provided. See the examples in the chart below.
What is the past simple?
The past simple (also called the simple past), as the name suggests, is the tense we use to talk about any action or event that has already happened.
What does "simple past" mean?
We use the simple past to refer to an event/action that has already finished or happened, and the time is usually certain and specified. It always refers to finished time.
What do verbs tell us?
The answer is simple. The verbs we use tell us which tense is being used. If the verb form changes, the tense changes (and vice versa). In English, there are three main tenses: past, present and future. Here’s a simple trick to remember which is which.
What is a tense?
Tenses, as some of you may already know, are a way of measuring time. Tenses tell us whether a particular action has already happened, is happening or will happen. Every sentence we speak or write in English is in one of these tenses.
Can I use present tense to talk about a past event?
I hope this post has cleared the confusion between the present perfect and the past simple tenses. Now you know how you can still use present tense to talk about a past event. Yes, the English language is curious like that.
Is the participle the same as the past form?
For regular verbs, the participle and simple past forms are the same. For irregular verbs, the participle forms must be memorized.
Is the present perfect present tense?
Yes, the present perfect is one of the forms of the present tense. But we normally use it to talk about events that have already happened. These events may be ongoing or completed but usually, the events took place recently and the time is unspecified.
What is the difference between simple past and present perfect?
The main difference between simple past and present perfect is, simple past is used to state that something happened in the past whereas present perfect is used to emphasize the result of a past action.
When is present perfect used?
Present perfect is used when the time period is not finished.
When to use "simple past"?
Simple past is used when we simply want to say that something happened in the past.
Why are present perfect and simple past tense similar?
Present perfect and simple past tense are similar because both have originally occurred in the past. In English grammar, there is a great difference between what a native perceives when hears each of the tense.
What is the present perfect tense?
The present perfect tense is the tense when something has started in the past and either is still going on or its effect can be seen in the present time.
What is the past tense?
Simple past tense is related to a situation in which an action has been performed and completed in the past. It happened at a specific time in past. That particular time is usually reported either with time expressions or ideas having come in or around it.
What does "since" mean in the past tense?
7- since: To point out to the point of time something began. In the past tense, instead of ‘since’, ‘from … to …’ is used. ‘Since’ is used in response to ‘How long’ and ‘When’.
What is the past form of verbs?
In the simple past, the past form of verbs (the second form of verbs) must be used. These verbs are either regular, getting ‘-ed’ at their end, or irregular that must be memorized.
Is present perfect tense different from past tense?
Verbs in the present perfect tense are not different from simple past tense.
Introduction
The simple past and the present perfect are often confused by non-native speakers, but they are not interchangeable in English grammar. The simple past expresses completed past actions and often includes a reference to time.
Example
I have been to the theatre only three or four times in my life. I last went to the theatre in 2005. I saw the Shakespeare play Hamlet. I have not been to the theatre since.
Usage
The chart below provides an overview of the differences between the English simple past and present perfect, also present perfect simple, tenses.
Signal Words: Simple Past vs. Present Perfect
Signal words can help us to recognise which tense to use in a sentence. Below is a list of signal words for the simple past and present perfect simple tenses.
Online exercises to improve your English
Our online exercises for English help you to learn and practice grammar rules in an interactive manner. To make sure that you understand the correct answers, our answer keys offer simple explanations as well as handy tips and tricks.
