English Tenses: Past Simple and Present Perfect

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.

Contents

Past Simple and Present Perfect

Form:

Subject + regular verb-ed or irregular verb (V2 form, Past Simple)

Use:

We lived Japan in from 1995-1998. (a time period that started and ended in the past)

I saw the Eiffel Tower in 2007.

First, he read book and then he watched movie.

He went to the cinema every weekend last year.

Time phrases:

Form:

Subject + regular verb-ed or irregular verb (V3 form, Past Participle)

Use:

I’ve worked as a teacher since 2011. (a time period that started in the past, and continues until now)

I have seen the Eiffel Tower.

Have you ever seen this movie?

She has already watched this movie 3 times.

Time Phrases:

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