Learn the difference between Past Simple and Present Perfect Tense with useful grammar rules and examples.
The present perfect can cause a lot of confusion for English learners because it is actually used in several different ways.
Past Simple and Present Perfect
Simple Past Tense
Form:
Subject + regular verb-ed or irregular verb (V2 form, Past Simple)
Use:
- Finished time
We lived Japan in from 1995-1998. (a time period that started and ended in the past)
- Definite time
I saw the Eiffel Tower in 2007.
- Series of finished actions
First, he read book and then he watched movie.
- Repeated actions
He went to the cinema every weekend last year.
Time phrases:
- yesterday
- ago
- last
- in 1994, etc.
- in the 20th century,etc.
- in July, etc.
- on Monday, etc.
- …
Present Perfect Tense
Form:
Subject + regular verb-ed or irregular verb (V3 form, Past Participle)
Use:
- Unfinished time
I’ve worked as a teacher since 2011. (a time period that started in the past, and continues until now)
- Indefinite time
I have seen the Eiffel Tower.
- Experience
Have you ever seen this movie?
- Result
She has already watched this movie 3 times.
Time Phrases:
- already
- just
- yet
- ever
- never
- for
- since
- …
Past Simple and Present Perfect | Image
Guitar
Wednesday 31st of March 2021
Bruh
Dhamchoe
Wednesday 24th of March 2021
great learning material.Gaining lots of confidence.Thank you for your humanitarion acts.
mercedes oliart
Saturday 20th of February 2021
Great!!!
Tam
Monday 18th of January 2021
Thank you, it was very useful. However, the poster has a slip, the form for the present perfect should be S + have/has + past participle.
Abdelkarim
Wednesday 1st of February 2023
Yes that's what I'm wondering about 🤔🤔
Adela
Saturday 19th of September 2020
Thanks first. It is a simple, organized and complete information. TO the point.i love that. It conviced me at once.