Present Perfect Vs Past Simple

Topic

Present Perfect vs. Past Simple tense

English course B1

I have been to Paris three times.

I was in Paris in 2005.

Present Perfect Tense

Past Simple Tense

Use Present Perfect Tense

Talk about experience Action in the past (undetermined time) Unfinished action started in the past

Use Present Perfect Tense

Martin has jumped with a parachute. Ellen has never eaten a Japanese sushi. He has not driven his bike since the accident.

Use Past Simple

A completed action in the pastAction in the past (determined time)

Use Past Simple

Martin made his first parachute jump in 2005. Ellen tried Japanese sushi yesterday. The bike accident happened two monthas ago.

Keywords for Present Perfect Tense

NEVER/EVERSince... For... ...yet

Keywords for Past Simple Tense

last...yesterday ...ago Then...

Lets practise

Put the verbs into Present Perfect or Past Simple tense

I __________________ your sister when I ______________ at the movie theater Saturday night. She looks like you. [to meet; to be]

I MET your sister when I WAS at the movie theater Saturday night. She looks like you.

Ann is so absent-minded! Do you believe she ___________________ the wrong tickets? [to get]

Ann is so absent-minded! Do you believe she HAS GOTTEN / GOT the wrong tickets?

_____ you ________ Sarah yet? She ___________ while you ____________ away. [to call; to phone; to be]

HAVE you CALLED Sarah yet? She PHONED while you WERE away.

Genially, right?

Thanks!

Hrisimira Kostadinova