PRESENT PERFECT AND PAST SIMPLE

                                Past Simple and Present Perfect
Simple Past Tense
Form:  

Subject + regular verb-ed or irregular verb (V2 form, Past Simple)

Use:

Finished time
We lived Japan in from 1995-1998. (a time period that started and ended in the past)

Definite time
I saw the Eiffel Tower in 2007.

Series of finished actions
First, he read book and then he watched movie.

Repeated actions
He went to the cinema every weekend last year.

Time phrases:

yesterday
ago
last
in 1994, etc.
in the 20th century,etc.
in July, etc.
on Monday, etc.
…
Present Perfect Tense
Form:

Subject + regular verb-ed or irregular verb (V3 form, Past Participle)

Use:

Unfinished time
I’ve worked as a teacher since 2011. (a time period that started in the past, and continues until now)

Indefinite time
I have seen the Eiffel Tower.

Experience
Have you ever seen this movie?

Result
She has already watched this movie 3 times.

Time Phrases:

already
just
yet
ever
never
for
since
…

 

We use ALREADY in affirmative sentences. It is between have/has and the verb in past participle.

                   Example: We have already watched this film.

 

We use YET in negative and interrogative sentences. It is at the end of the sentences.

                  Example: They haven't written the mark yet.

                                       Has she spoken to you yet?

We use JUST to say that the action happened a very short time ago. It is between have/has and the verb in past participle.

               Example: He has just eaten a sandwich.

 

Read more about this topic and practice with these exercises:

             - Online games

              - Activities 1

             - Activity 2