Simple Past and Present Perfect Simple

Use
In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. As soon as a time expression in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if its consequence in the present is important. Note that the following explanations and exercises refer to British English only. In American English, you can normally use Simple Past instead of Present Perfect. We cannot accept this in our exercises, however, as this would lead to confusions amongst those who have to learn the differences.

With present perfect we use: Until now / how often so far /just / already / yet

Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Progressive

Use
Both tenses are used to express that an action began in the past and is still going on or has just finished. In many cases, both forms are correct, but there is often a difference in meaning: We use the Present Perfect Simple mainly to express that an action is completed or to emphasise the result. We use the Present Perfect Progressive to emphasise the duration or continuous course of an action.

Signal words
Present Perfect Simple
how often ... times

Present Perfect Progressive

how long since for

for two hours since 9 o'clock

The Present Perfect Simple or Continuous Exercise

TENSE Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Continuous USE - when the result of the action is important 1 to describe how somebody or something has beenoccupying his/her or its time 2 for repeated actions and actions of a continuous nature EXAMPLE Ive written a play I have been writing a play

Ive been going to a new caf a lot

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