Many students get confused as to when we use Present Perfect instead of Past Simple.
It's pretty simple actually!! :)
When we use the Past Simple, we use certain time expressions such as: last week/month/year, two weeks ago, yesterday, in 2005, in May, on Monday, when I was 18 etc. and we talk about actions that have happened and are finished. They are in the PAST.
For example:
All these actions are in the past. They began and finished according to the time expression used (and so have a specific time when they happened).
Now, the Present Perfect is used for actions in the past that have (or don't have) relevance in the present. We use this form because we don't use a specific time to define it.
For example:
I have lost my keys. This means that you lost your keys, yes in the past, but you either find it unnecessary to mention when, or you don't remember when!! If you want to use a specific time when you lost your keys, then you have to use Past Simple. --> I lost my keys yesterday! not: I have lost my keys yesterday.
We also use the Present Perfect for actions that were repeated in the past. CAREFUL: NOT habits!!! We use the Present Simple to express habits!
When using the Present Perfect we talk about actions that have happened AND FINISHED in the past, but they have happened many times.
For example:
I have seen that film many times. Again, you need not mention the exact times you saw the film. This tense is used to show the repeated action in the past. If you want to mention when you saw the film, then again, you must use the Past Simple. --> I saw that film in 2011 and again in 2012 and again last month! not: I have seen that film in 2011 and again in 2012.
Another use of the Present Perfect is to talk about actions that started in the past and are still going on. Here is where we use since and for. This shouldn't be confused with the Past Simple because it talks about something that is going on now too -it hasn't finished!
For example:
Both sentences mean that the action is still active. 1. She still works there and 2. They still live there.
Last, but not least, we use the Present Perfect to talk about something that has JUST happened. So here, the action hasn't had time to be recorded as PAST yet!! :) :)
For example:
Any questions??
Don't forget: the Past Simple is formed with I/You/He/She/It/We/You/They + verb + ed (or for irregular verbs, their relevant form) and in negatives and questions we use the auxiliary verb did (past form of do) without the -ed ending of the verb (or irregular form)
I went to the shops yesterday. He played basketball last week.
I didn't go to the shops yesterday. He didn't play basketball last week.
Did I go to the shops yesterday? Did he play basketball last week?
Whereas the Present Perfect is formed with I/You/He/She/It/We/You/They + have / has + past participle of the verb and we don't use any auxiliary verbs for negatives and questions, we use have and has accordingly.
I have slept. She has studied.
I haven't slept. She hasn't studied.
Have I slept? Has she studied?
:) :)
It's pretty simple actually!! :)
When we use the Past Simple, we use certain time expressions such as: last week/month/year, two weeks ago, yesterday, in 2005, in May, on Monday, when I was 18 etc. and we talk about actions that have happened and are finished. They are in the PAST.
For example:
I went to a concert last week. It was great!
She saw him two weeks ago.
I stayed up late yesterday.
He travelled around Europe in 2005.
They had English exams in May.
We watched a scary movie on Monday.
I first drank alcohol when I was 18.
All these actions are in the past. They began and finished according to the time expression used (and so have a specific time when they happened).
Now, the Present Perfect is used for actions in the past that have (or don't have) relevance in the present. We use this form because we don't use a specific time to define it.
For example:
I have lost my keys. This means that you lost your keys, yes in the past, but you either find it unnecessary to mention when, or you don't remember when!! If you want to use a specific time when you lost your keys, then you have to use Past Simple. --> I lost my keys yesterday! not: I have lost my keys yesterday.
We also use the Present Perfect for actions that were repeated in the past. CAREFUL: NOT habits!!! We use the Present Simple to express habits!
When using the Present Perfect we talk about actions that have happened AND FINISHED in the past, but they have happened many times.
For example:
I have seen that film many times. Again, you need not mention the exact times you saw the film. This tense is used to show the repeated action in the past. If you want to mention when you saw the film, then again, you must use the Past Simple. --> I saw that film in 2011 and again in 2012 and again last month! not: I have seen that film in 2011 and again in 2012.
Another use of the Present Perfect is to talk about actions that started in the past and are still going on. Here is where we use since and for. This shouldn't be confused with the Past Simple because it talks about something that is going on now too -it hasn't finished!
For example:
She has worked here since 1999.
They have lived there for six years.
Both sentences mean that the action is still active. 1. She still works there and 2. They still live there.
Last, but not least, we use the Present Perfect to talk about something that has JUST happened. So here, the action hasn't had time to be recorded as PAST yet!! :) :)
For example:
I have just walked in!
She has just phoned you!
Any questions??
Don't forget: the Past Simple is formed with I/You/He/She/It/We/You/They + verb + ed (or for irregular verbs, their relevant form) and in negatives and questions we use the auxiliary verb did (past form of do) without the -ed ending of the verb (or irregular form)
I went to the shops yesterday. He played basketball last week.
I didn't go to the shops yesterday. He didn't play basketball last week.
Did I go to the shops yesterday? Did he play basketball last week?
Whereas the Present Perfect is formed with I/You/He/She/It/We/You/They + have / has + past participle of the verb and we don't use any auxiliary verbs for negatives and questions, we use have and has accordingly.
I have slept. She has studied.
I haven't slept. She hasn't studied.
Have I slept? Has she studied?
:) :)
