This is the first post on the series about the Present Perfect.

Watch the video below to learn how to use Present Perfect and Past Simple.

banner_present perfect simple

STRUCTURE:
have/has + past participle

Use the Present Perfect

  1. for past experiences, when we don’t say exactly when the happened.
  2. for recent past actions, often with just.
  3. with yet
    * yet is used with negative and interrogative sentences and goes at the end of the phrase:
    She hasn’t finished her homework yet?
    Has Mary talked to him yet?
  4. with already
    * already is used in affirmative sentences and goes before the main verb:
    She has already finished her homework.
  5. with ever to talk about life experiences and goes before the main verb:
    Have you ever been to Paris?
    Have you ever broken a bone?

banner_past simple

 

Use the Past Simple to ask or talk about finished actions in the past, when the time is mentioned or understood:

  1. Words that go together with Past Simple:
    yesterday
    two days ago
    three months ago
    … ago
    last week
    last month
    last…

Present Perfect or Past Simple?

* Use the Present Perfect (NOT the past simple) to talk about past experiences and recent past actions when we don’t specify a time.
* Use the Past Simple (NOT the Present Perfect).

If you want to save the slides used in the video:

JEANY SF
Present Perfect
Present Perfect or Past Simple?

 

Test your knowledge and leave your comments below with questions you might have about the difference between Present Perfect and Past Simple:

Please watch the video below to learn how to use Quizlet:

 

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Please do leave your comments if you have any doubts and/or if you liked this post!