Present Perfect vs Past Simple
Present Perfect |
Past simple |
1. Single or repeated actions in the past when we don't know the date of the action or it isn't important |
1. Single or repeated actions when we know the definite time |
Example: I've driven an automatic car before |
Example: I drove a race car last summer |
Time expressions: before, ever, already, just and yet |
Time expressions: yesterday, last week, in 2018 etc. |
2. Situations that started in the past and are still continuing |
2. Situations that started and finished in the past |
Example: Tom has worked in the shop for 2 years |
Example: Tom worked in the shop for 2 years |
With- for or since |
With- for |
For -period of time |
Since- starting point |
Time expressions: for 2 months, 1 year, a long time |
Time esxpressions: since 1968, June, I was 8 years old |
3. One or more completed actions in a time period that is continuing |
3. One or more completed actions in a time period that is finished |
Example: He's sold 15 cars this month |
Example: He sold 15 cars last month |
Time expressions: this morning, this week, today, so far etc. |
Time expressions: yesterday, last week, ago etc. |
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Experiences
Example: I've travalled a lot |
We can use 'ever' to ask questions about life experiences |
Example: Have you ever visited Africa? |
We can use 'never' for negatives sentences. It means 'not in your life' |
Example: I've never seen a ghost |
We can use 'before' to say if it's not the first time |
Example: We've been to this restaurant before |
Results
Example: My car's broken down |
We can use 'just' to mean ' a short time ago' |
Example: They've just arrived |
We can use 'already' to mean 'before expected' |
Example: Yes, I know Sarah, we've already met |
We can use 'recently' to mean in the last few days or months |
Example: What's the cinema like now? I don't know, I haven't been there recently |
We can use 'yet' in questions and negative sentences for something that is expected to happen but hasn't happened at the time of speaking |
Example: Have you spoken to Julie yet? No, not yet |
We use 'still' in negative sentence when an action is expected to happen but hasn't |
Example: I gave my teacher my homework last week, but she still hasn't marked it |
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Other uses of Present Perfect
Unfinished time period |
To talk about actions that are still continuing |
Today, this week, this morning etc. |
Example: I've sent 100 emails this week (it's still this week) |
So far = up to now |
Example: She's made 5 phone calls so far this afternoon |
Compare: I've drunk two coffees this morning (it's still the morning) |
I drank two coffees this morning (its now the afternoon) |
Repeated actions (They may happen again) |
One time actions (unlikely to be repeated) |
Example: I've watched a lot of Netflix this week |
I watched Die Hard this week |
Superlatives - often used with ever |
This is the best football match I've ever seen |
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