1. Simple Past x Present Perfect
The Simple Past expresses an action which happened at a specific time in the past and is now
finished.
“I fixed Mrs. Strickland's fence yesterday.”
The Present Perfect is used to express an action or state which began in the past and still continues or
to express an action which happened in the past, but we are not interested in when.
Full Form Contracted Form Complement
I have passed
You have passed
He has passed
she has passed
I've passed
You've passed
He's passed
She's passed
The exams.
It has rainde It's rained A lot recently
We have been
You have been
They have been
We've been
You've been
They've been
To Maine
Complete with Simple Past or Present Perfect:
1. I ______________________ the dishes two hours ago. (to do)
2. Cindy ____________________ at this school since 2000. She loves to work here. (to teach)
3. Lynn __________________ five minutes ago. (to leave)
4. “How long ____________________ your car?” (to have) “_________________ it for three years.”
5. Mom ______________________ a delicious carrot cake yesterday morning.(to make)
6. Last night when Jack ________________________ (to arrive) he __________________ (to come
into) the room, ___________________ (to take off) his coat, and ______________ (to sit down) on
the bed. Although he ____________ (to be) too tired he ______________ (not; to sleep).
7. The mailman _______________ any letters yet.(to bring)
8. “How many letters _______________________________ since 8 a.m.? (the secretary)
“She ______________ ten. (to write)
9. I _____________________ any dresses for me last Saturday. (to buy)
10. I __________________________ my best friend for about ten years. (to know)
11. Gary an I ______________________ together for three years. Now he works in California. (to work)
12. “When _____________________ her job?”
“She ___________________ it five days ago.”(Carol; to start)
13. Karl _________________________ about the same accident since he arrived here today.
Won't he stop?. (to talk)
14. Lucy and Kate ___________________________ together since 1998. (to study)
15. William ______________________ only health food. That's why he's strong. (to eat)
16. My mother-in-law ______________________ (to die) on Wednesday and _____________________
yesterday.(to bury)
17. ____________________________ (you, ever, to ride) with Alex?
