Present Perfect and Simple Past

Introduction

This section will help you to understand the differences between the Present Perfect Tense and the
Simple Past Tense.

Has the time period finished?

Rule Example Explanation

The present perfect is used when the I have seen three (This week has not
time period has NOT finished. movies this week. finished yet.)

The simple past is used when the time I saw three movies last (Last week has
period HAS finished. week. finished.)

Is it new information or old?

Rule Example Explanation

The present perfect is often used when Martin has crashed his (This is new
giving recent news. car again. information.)

The simple past is used when giving old Martin crashed his car (This is old
information. last year. information.)

Is it a specific time?

Rule Example Explanation

The present perfect is used when the time I have seen that movie (We don't know
is not specific. already. when.)

The simple past is used when the time is I saw that movie on (We know exactly
clear. Thursday. when.)

Has the action finished (sentences with “for” or “since”)?

Rule Example Explanation

The present perfect is used with for and I have lived in (I still live in
since when the actions have not finished yet. Victoria for five years. Victoria.)

The simple past is used with for when the I lived in Victoria for (I don't live in
actions have already finished. five years. Victoria now.)
 Past Simple and Present Perfect

Choose the past simple or the present perfect:

1. Last night I __________________ (lose) my keys – I had to call my flat mate to let me in.
2. I __________________ (lose) my keys – can you help me look for them?
3. I __________________ (visit) Paris three times.
4. Last year I __________________ (visit) Paris.
5. I __________________ (know) my great grandmother for a few years – she died when I
was eight.
6. I __________________ (know) Julie for three years – we still meet once a month.
7. I __________________ (play) hockey since I was a child – I’m pretty good!
8. She __________________ (play) hockey at school, but she __________________ (not / like) it.
9. Sorry, I __________________ (miss) the bus, so I’m going to be late.
10. I __________________ (miss) the bus, and then I __________________ (miss) the aero plane
as well!
11. Last month I __________________ (go) to Scotland.
12. I’m sorry, John isn’t here now. He __________________ (go) to the shops.
13. We __________________ (finish) this room last week.
14. I __________________ (finish) my exams finally – I’m so happy!
15. Yesterday, I __________________ (go) to the library, the post office and the
Supermarket.
16. I __________________ (go) to the supermarket three times this week!
17. She __________________ (live) in London since 1994.
18. She __________________ (live) in London when she was a child.
19. I __________________ (drink) three cups of coffee this morning.
20. I __________________ (drink) seven cups of coffee yesterday.

English Department