This document provides a summary of the differences between the present perfect simple tense and the past simple tense in English. It outlines the affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms of each, including common time expressions used with each tense. Examples are provided to illustrate the key uses of each tense, such as the present perfect for actions that began in the past but are still relevant or ongoing, and the past simple for actions that were completed entirely in the past. Guidance is given on using the present perfect and past simple with phrases like "since", "for", "been to", and "gone to".

2. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE PAST SIMPLE
 AFFIRMATIVE:
subject + have/has + past participle
e.g. Mary has eaten a sandwich.
 NEGATIVE:
subject + have/has + not + past
participle
e.g. Mary has not had breakfast yet.
 INTERROGATIVE
Have/Has + subject + past participle +
?
e.g. Have you already finished?
 AFFIRMATIVE:
subject + past simple
e.g. Mary ate a sandwich.
 NEGATIVE:
subject + did + not + base form
e.g. Mary did not have breakfast
yesterday.
 INTERROGATIVE
Did + subject + base form + ?
e.g. Did you finish in time for the
game?
TIME EXPRESSIONS
 just, already, always, ever, never (before the
past participle)
 yet (at the end of the sentence)
 for (followed by an amount of time, e.g. two years)
 since (followed by a point in time, e.g. 2019)
 How long, so far, lately, recently, today, this
TIME EXPRESSIONS
 ago
 yesterday
 last, in, on, at
 when…
 once

3. I have lived in London for two years.
I lived in London for two years.

4. Past Simple actions have already finished in the past.
Ex. I played tennis this morning
(This morning is over)
Present actions started in the past BUT not
Perfect finished yet.
Ex. We have lived here for years
(We still live here)

5. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE PAST SIMPLE
1. Action that happened at an unspecified
time in the past and is still relevant in
the present.
She has done her homework.
They have tidied their room.
2. Action that started in the past and
continues to the present, often used with
stative verbs (used with how long, for,
since).
He has lived here since 2010.
I have known Anna for 10 years.
3. Action that has been repeated in the
past.
I have heard that song many times.
4. When the period mentioned is not over
yet.
We haven’t had anything to drink today.
5. After phrases like the first/second, etc.
Or with superlatives
This is the first time I’ve seen this film.
1. Action that began and ended in the
past. We often indicate the time when
the action happened.
She did her homework 2 hours ago.
They tidied their room yesterday.
2. Past routtine/habit/situation
Dad lived in London when he was young.
3. Several actions in the past that
happened one after the other.
I got home, showered and climbed into
bed.
4. Main events in a story.
The man looked around, then walked
quickly into the room.

6. HAVE/HAS BEEN TO:
Went and come back
E.g. She has been to the doctor. (She went there and is now back)
HAVE/HAS GONE TO:
Went and still there
E.g. She has gone to the doctor. (She went and is still there)

7. FOR:
It is used in order to express the length of an action.
E.g. She has lived here for ten years. (She still lives here)
She lived here for ten years. (She doesn’t live here any more
SINCE:
It is used with present perfect in order to express the moment in
which an action started.
E.g. We have lived here since last summer.
She has worked there since 1998.

8. REMEMBER…
The present perfect NEVER says WHEN something
happened. You must use the past simple for this, together
with time expressions like (last week, two days ago,
yesterday, etc.).
E.g. I didn’t go to school yesterday, but I have done my
homework.BUT…
The present perfect CAN say for HOW LONG something
happened. You can also use the past simple for this, but
the action will now be finished, unlike if you use the present
perfect.
E.g. I have studied French for five years. (I still study
French)
I studied French for five years. (I don’t study French
now)