contrast between present perfect for general experiences and past simple for specific moments in the past

1. PRESENT PERFECT
PAST SIMPLE
Mónica Redondo Arias

2. EXAMPLES
Have you ever been to a fancy dress
party?
She’s seen that film twice.
I’ve never met Nina’s husband.

3. WHEN DO WE USE THE
PRESENT PERFECT
Past experience in our life when we don’t
specify WHEN.
He’s read that book before.

4. EVER

5. EVER
EVER = IN YOUR LIFE
•Have you ever been to a fancy dress party?
No, I haven’t.

6. PRESENT PERFECT
OR
PAST SIMPLE?
• Have you ever been to Mexico?
• Yes, I have.
• When did you go?
• I went last year.

7. PRESENT PERFECT
OR
PAST SIMPLE?
• Have you met his new girlfriend?
• Yes, I have.
• What did you think of her?
• I didn’t like her.

8. PRESENT PERFECT PAST SIMPLE
1. We normally start with a general
question in present perfect.
2. Then we change to past simple for more
specific details
(when, what, where, why…)

9. PRESENT PERFECT
OR
PAST SIMPLE?
Yes, I have
2 When did you go?
3 I went last summer.
4 Who did you go with?
5 I went with my son
6 Where did you stay?
I stayed in a fancy hotel.
1. Have you been to China?

10. BEEN GONE
 Mike has been to Paris.
 Is Mike in Paris or Spain?
 (He went and came back to Spain)
 Mike has gone to Paris.
 Is Mike in Paris or Spain?
 (He is in Paris now)