This document compares and contrasts the simple past and present perfect tenses in English. The simple past is used to describe actions or situations that are completed in the past, while the present perfect connects the past to the present by describing actions or situations that began in the past and continue to the present or are relevant to the present. Examples are provided to illustrate the difference in meaning between sentences using the simple past versus the present perfect. Time expressions that are commonly used with each tense are also outlined.

1. Simple PastSimple Past
vs. Presentvs. Present
PerfectPerfect
When do we use eachWhen do we use each
tense in English?tense in English?

2.  TheThe simple pastsimple past always refers to analways refers to an
action or situation that isaction or situation that is finishedfinished oror
completed.completed.
TheThe present perfectpresent perfect connectsconnects thethe
past and the present. It is used…past and the present. It is used…
--to show that an action or situation in
the past continues today,
OR
-to describe past events without
exact time references.

3. Compare theCompare the meaningmeaning of these twoof these two
sentences:sentences:
1. Sara1. Sara livedlived in Boston for 5 years.in Boston for 5 years.
2. Sara2. Sara has livedhas lived in Boston for 5in Boston for 5
years.years.
The first sentence uses:
Simple PastSimple Past
The second sentence uses:
Present PerfectPresent Perfect

4.  SaraSara livedlived in Boston for 5 years.in Boston for 5 years.
Remember, the simple past is used for a
situation that is over, finished, done!over, finished, done!
Meaning: by using the simple pastby using the simple past
tense, we mean that Sara startedtense, we mean that Sara started
living in Boston 5 years ago . . .living in Boston 5 years ago . . .
AND . . . then sheAND . . . then she movedmoved!!
Now she lives in a different city, likeNow she lives in a different city, like
Paris.Paris.

5. SaraSara has livedhas lived in Boston for 5 years.in Boston for 5 years.
Meaning: by using the presentby using the present
perfect tense, we mean that Saraperfect tense, we mean that Sara
began living in Boston 5 yearsbegan living in Boston 5 years
ago . . .ago . . .
AND . . . sheAND . . . she stillstill lives there.lives there.
Remember, present perfect:
connects the past with the present.

6.  Use theUse the simplesimple
pastpast with timewith time
words like:words like:
 Use theUse the presentpresent
perfectperfect withwith
time words like:time words like:
•yesterday
•last Saturday, week,
month, year, etc.
•_______ ago
•when I was…
•in 1990 (past
date)
•for
•since …
•already
•yet
•still

7. Practice!Practice!
simple past or present perfect.simple past or present perfect.
1. When I was a child, I ________ (swim) a lot.1. When I was a child, I ________ (swim) a lot.
2. This week, we ________ (study) a lot.2. This week, we ________ (study) a lot.
3. Theo __________ (be) very sick recently.3. Theo __________ (be) very sick recently.
4. I _________ (have) a terrible headache4. I _________ (have) a terrible headache
yesterday.yesterday.
5. We _______ (live) in Paris during 4 years.5. We _______ (live) in Paris during 4 years.
6. They _______ (get) married ten years ago.6. They _______ (get) married ten years ago.
7. I ________ (be) to Portaventura Park many times.7. I ________ (be) to Portaventura Park many times.
8. My family ________ (take) a vacation last year.8. My family ________ (take) a vacation last year.
9. I __________ (live) 2 years ago.9. I __________ (live) 2 years ago.
10. We ________ (move) from Spain to England in10. We ________ (move) from Spain to England in
2003.2003.

8. Additional notes aboutAdditional notes about
present perfect:present perfect:
• We often use present perfect with:We often use present perfect with:
• DuringDuring + noun+ noun: to say when something: to say when something
happens or to talk about the wholehappens or to talk about the whole
period.period.
Example:
I have studied English during four years.

9.  From… to  to give the start and end
point of when something happens.
Just  to talk an event that has
happened very recently.
Example:
I have lived in London from June to
September.
Example:
We have just bought a video game and it
doesn’t work.

10. • We often use present perfect withWe often use present perfect with
“ever”“ever” andand “never.”“never.”
Example:Example:
Patricia:Patricia: Have you everHave you ever played tennis?played tennis?
Linda: No,Linda: No, I’ve neverI’ve never played before, but Iplayed before, but I
would like to learn!would like to learn!

11.  We often use present perfect to ask ifWe often use present perfect to ask if
someone has done something at any timesomeone has done something at any time
in their life.in their life.  EverEver
Example:
Have you ever visited London?
Ever = Question

12. • We often use present perfect to sayWe often use present perfect to say
that we havethat we have nevernever done something atdone something at
any time in our life.any time in our life.
Example:Example:
II have never visitedhave never visited London. But someday, ILondon. But someday, I
hope to travel there.hope to travel there.

13. For
Affirmative
He / She / It + HAS + Past Participle (=3rd column)
I / You / We / They +HAVE + Past Participle (=3rd column)

14. Negative
He / She / It + HASN’T + Past Participle (=3rd column)
I / You / We / They +HAVEN’T + Past Participle (=3rd column)

15. INTERROGATIVE
HAS + HE /SHE /IT + Past Participle (=3rd column)…?
HAVE + I / YOU / WE / THEY + Past Participle(=3rd column)…?