This document provides instruction on using different tenses in English, including the simple past tense and present perfect tense. It discusses when to use each tense based on time frames and emphasis. Examples are given to illustrate discussing past events versus ongoing results. Signal words that indicate which tense to use are also listed. The document concludes with exercises for learners to practice using adjectives and adverbs correctly, including forming "how" questions.

1. TRANSITIONS
UNIT 6

2. UNIT GOALS
 USE THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE AND PAST PERFECT
TENSE TO TALK ABOUT MILESTONES IN YOUR LIFE
 TALK ABOUT THE BEST AGE TO DO SOMETHING IN
YOUR LIFE
 USE HOW QUESTIONS TO GET MORE INFORMATION
 DESCRIBE AN IMPORTANT TRANSITION IN YOUR LIFE

3. SIMPLE PAST TENSE vs.
PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
 As soon as a time expression in the past is given, you have
to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must
decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if its
consequence in the present is important.
 Note that the following explanations and exercises refer to
British English only. In American English, you can normally
use Simple Past instead of Present Perfect. We cannot
accept this in our exercises, however, as this would lead to
confusions amongst those who have to learn the differences.

4. Certain time in the past or just /
already / yet?
 Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain
time in the past (even if it was just a few seconds ago) or that
an action has just / already / not yet happened?
 Simple Past
 certain time in the past
 Example: I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago.
 Present Perfect Simple
 just / already / not yet
 Example: I have just phoned Mary.

5. Certain event in the past or how
often so far?
 Do you want to express when a certain action took place or
whether / how often an action has happened till now?
 Simple Past
 certain event in the past Example: He went to Canada last
summer.
 Present Perfect Simple
 whether / how often till now Example: Have you ever been
to Canada? / I have been to Canada twice.

6. Emphasis on action or result?
 Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do
you want to emphasise the result (a past action's consequence
in the present)?
 Simple Past
 Emphasis on action
 Example: I bought a new bike. (just telling what I did in the past.)
 Present Perfect Simple
 Emphasis on result
 Example: I have bought a new bike. (With this sentence I
actually want to express that I have a new bike now.)

7. Signal Words
 Simple Past
 yesterday
 ... ago
 in 1990
 the other day
 last ...
 Present Perfect Simple
 just
 already
 up to now
 until now / till now
 ever
 (not) yet
 so far
 lately / recently

8. EXERCISES
 http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpas-
preper/exercises?ex07

9. HOW + ADJECTIVE OR ADVERB
 An adjective is a word or set of words that modifies (i.e.,
describes) a noun or pronoun. Adjectives may come before
the word they modify.
 Examples:
That is a cute puppy.
She likes a high school senior.
 Adjectives may also follow the word they modify:
 Examples:
That puppy looks cute.
The technology is state-of-the-art.

10.  An adverb is a word or set of words that modifies verbs,
adjectives, or other adverbs.
 Examples:
He speaks slowly (modifies the verb speaks)
He is especially clever (modifies the adjective clever)
He speaks all too slowly (modifies the adverb slowly)
 An adverb answers how, when, where, or to what extent—
how often or how much (e.g., daily, completely).
 Examples:
He speaks slowly (answers the question how)
He speaks very slowly (answers the question how slowly)

11. HOW
 Use HOW to ask questions about descriptions with adverbs
and adjectives
 ADJECTIVES – He’s very tall – HOW tall is he?
 ADVERBS – She drives fast – HOW fast does she drive?

12. EXERCISES
 http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/adverb-or-adjective-
test2.html