PAST SIMPLE AND

PRESENT PERFECT
Functions, differences and examples

Functions: SIMPLE PAST

We use the past simple to descibre an action that
started and finished at a specific time in the past
(last night, yesterday, 2 hours ago)
Ex: Yesterday I studied for the test
We ate Thai food last night
We didnt watch the game on Tuesday
Did you go shopping last Sunday?
Yes, I did / No I didnt

Functions: PRESENT PERFECT

We use the present perfect to say that an action
happened at an unspecified time before now, a
change over time, to talk about experiences. You
CANNOT use the PP with specifict time expressions
(ago, last month, yesterday).
Ex: ? : Have you been to NY? Yes I have / No I
havent
+ : Ive just finished my work
- : She hasnt come home yet!

Time expressions with PRESENT PERFECT

We can use some time expressions with PP as long as
they represent a period of time: in the last week, in
the past few years.
EX: She has seen that movie 6 times in the last
month
LAST YEAR IN THE LAST YEAR