Demo session

Past Simple vs
Present Perfect
Estefani Cubides
Past Uses

Simple - To talk about past events where we are aware of the

time these happened.
- Actions that started and ended in the past.

Present

Past Future
Building sentences There are regular and
irregular verbs, for example:
Positive
Regular verb
+ verb in past + complement

Negative Irregular verb

+ didn't/ did not+ verb in present+ complement

Interrogative

Did + + verb in present + complement?

Examples I served in the army for 51 years.
I retired when I was 69
I didn't like it at all
Did you meet the Prime Minister?
Present Uses
- To talk about past events where we do not know when

Perfect they happened exactly.

- For recent past events. Moments that just happened.
-To express unfinished states that started in the past
but it may be still happening.

Present

Past Future
Building sentences
Positive

+ Have/has + Verb in participle + complement

Negative

+ Haven't/hasn't + Verb in participle + complement

Interrogative

Have/has Verb in participle + complement?

Have or has? It depends on the pronoun you use:

I
you
We Have
They

She
He Has
It
Examples I have lived here for the last 20 years.
I have lived here since 1995.
I haven't been to Scandinavian
countries.
Have you met famous people?
Talking about memorable experiences
Veteran Life
I think I have had a very interesting life. I'm 73 now and I don't work anymore. I
served in the army for 51 years. I retired when I was 69. I live in a small town in
Louisiana. I have lived here for the last 20 years. To be precise, I have lived here
since 1995.
I have been to so many countries that I can't remember all of them. I've been to
Australia six or seven times and to South Africa three times. I have also been once
to Russia but I didn't like it at all: too cold for me! I have never been to
Scandinavian countries but I would like to.
I've never been on television, but I've been on the radio once. It was a program
about life in the military about twenty years ago. I met the Prime Minister on the
same day. Actually, I've met many famous people: members of the royal family,
important politicians and also famous cinema and television personalities. I've
never met the American President though which is a pity.
Taken from: en.islcollective.com
In practice
Memorable experiences
1. What is the best place you have ever been to?
2. Have you ever cheated on an exam?
3. Have you ever eat an exotic dish?