Differences between Present perfect and Past Simple

1. Present Perfect
and
Simple Past
Section 7
Unit 15: Motivation

2. The Present Perfect Tense
Forming the present perfect tense
This tense is formed using two
components: the auxiliaries HAVE or
HAS and the past participle form of a
verb. With a regular verb, the past
participle ends with -ED (just like
the simple past). Irregular verbs have a
special past participle form that you have
to learn.
These are some examples:
I have been promoted.
You have taken over.
He has just taken up the job offer.
She has already accepted the new job.
It has grown slowly.
We have met many important senior managers.
They have bought a new building.
The present perfect tense is common in English.
It is used for many different functions.

3. Simple Past
Review
Form
• The past simple is formed by adding
–ed to the infinitive of regular verbs
started, finished
• Regular verbs ending in –e just add
–d
arrived, decided
• There are many irregular verbs
be=was/were
do=did
have=had

4. The form of the past simple does not change:
I/ We/ You/ They worked late.
He/ She/ It
Except BE:
I/ He/ She/ It was at home.
We/ You/ They were here.

5. Past Simple
Negative,
Question, and
Short Answer
The auxiliary verb DID (the past tense of
DO) is used for negative sentences,
questions and short answers.
• I didn’t see you at the meeting yesterday.
• Did you enjoy the meal? No, I didn’t.
• What did you have to do? I had to study.
• Did you go to the conference?
Yes, I did.
• Did Glenn go?
No, he didn’t.

6. What is the difference between Present Perfect and Past Simple?
Present Perfect Simple Past Simple
Unfinished actions that started in the
past and continue to the present:
 I’ve lived in San José for ten
years (and I still live there).
 I’ve lived in San José since I was
a child (and I still live there).
Finished actions:
 I lived in Cartago for ten years
(but then I moved away and I
don’t live there anymore).

7. What is the difference between Present Perfect and Past Simple?
Present Perfect Simple Past Simple
A finished action in someone's life
(when the person is still alive: life
experience):
 My brother has been to Mexico
three times.
A finished action in someone's life
(when the person is dead):
 My great-grandmother went to
Mexico three times.

8. What is the difference between Present Perfect and Past Simple?
Present Perfect Simple Past Simple
A finished action with a result in the
present:
 I've lost my keys! (The result is
that I can't get into my house
now).
A finished action with no result in
the present:
 I lost my keys yesterday. It was
terrible! (Now there is no result. I
got new keys yesterday).

9. What is the difference between Present Perfect and Past Simple?
Present Perfect Simple Past Simple
With an unfinished time word (this
week, this month, today):
 I've seen John this week.
With a finished time word (last
week, last month, yesterday):
 I saw John last week.