Past Simple vs Present Perfect

PRESENT PERFECT vs PAST SIMPLE

Present Perfect

We use the present perfect simple to talk about:

• experiences in our lifetime, or another unfinished time period.

Have you ever had a job interview?I’ve never worked in an office.We can use adverbs like ever, never, three times, etc.

• news and recent events, often with a present result.

They’ve just offered me the job. (result = I’ve got a job.)The interviews have already finished - you’re too late. (result = You can’t have an interview.)She hasn’t called me back yet. (result = I’m still waiting to speak to her.)We can use adverbs like just, already and yet.

• unfinished states (when we want to talk about the duration).

I’ve only had this phone for a week.We’ve lived in London since 2010.We use for to give the duration or since to give the starting point.

Past Simple

We use the past simple for completed past actions in a completed past time period. She didn’t get the job. The interviews finished five minutes ago. Why did you miss the bus? We often use past time phrases like last week, a few days ago, when I was a child.

Present Perfect or Past Simple?

We often introduce a topic with the present perfect and then change to the past simple in the next sentence to talk about the details. I’ve had lots of job interviews. The last one was about three months ago — it was terrible. I’ve lost my keys. Maybe I left them on the bus this morning. He hasn’t worked here long. He started a few weeks ago. Don’t use the present perfect when you describe an action that happened at a particular time. Use a past tense instead. They left yesterday / at four о'clock / ten minutes ago.

Let's practice!

Feel the difference

Find and correct the mistakes.

1) A: How long do you live (have you lived) here? В: About two years. 2) I haven’t been to work yesterday — I was ill. ______________________________ 3) A: We need to email the bank this afternoon. В: Don't worry — I’ve done it yet. ______________________________ 4) On her CV she says she’s got lots of experience, but in fact she hasn’t never had a job in her life! ______________________________

Find and correct the mistakes.

5) I’ve wanted to work for your company since I’ve been a student. ______________________________ 6) A: Have you heard the news? Louise has left her job! В: Yes, I know. She’s told me last week. ______________________________ 7) I’ve worked there for about six months. I’ve started in January. ______________________________