Present Perfect VS Simple Past

Present Perfect VS Simple Past

Teacher Axel Rodriguez

Introduction

What Is The Past Tense? The past tense is a verb tense used for a past activity or a past state of being. For example: I jumped in the lake. (This is a past activity.) I was happy. (This is a past state of being.)

Introduction

The present perfect tense uses "has" or "have" as auxiliary verbs with the main verb in its past participle form. The auxiliary verbs change for subject-verb agreement, while the main verb stays the same. "Have" is used for most subjects, except the singular third-person which uses "has." We explain statement, negative, and question constructions, as well as using adverbs with the present perfect tense.

When do i use it then...?

Simple Past

Present Perfect

Definite time in the past We use the past simple to refer to definite time in the past (when we specify the time or how long) and usually with past time expressions such as yesterday, two weeks ago, last year, in 1995:

• We met in January 1975. We went to America together in 1978.
• Not: We have met in January 1975. We have gone to America together in 1978.

Time up to now We use the present perfect to talk about time up to now, that is, events that took place in the past but which connect with the present. The present perfect is often used with time expressions which indicate time up to now, for example today, this year, in the last six months:

• I haven’t seen her since January 1995.
• Not: I didn’t see her since January 1995.

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