past simple vs. present perfect when do we use each tense in english?

Past Simple Past Simple vs. vs.

PresentPresent

PerfectPerfect

When do we use each tense in When do we use each tense in English?English?

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/bbogage-14003-simple-past-vs-present-perfect-tense-education-ppt-powerpoint/

04/21/2304/21/23Adapted by: Héctor F. Rivillas R. Adapted by: Héctor F. Rivillas R.

UAOUAO 22

RememberRemember::

Grammar has meaning!Grammar has meaning!

Different grammar tenses are Different grammar tenses are used in different situations or used in different situations or contexts and they carry different contexts and they carry different meanings.meanings.

For example . . .For example . . .


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Use the Use the past past simplesimple for an for an action that action that happened happened

in the pastin the past and and is:is:

overover, , donedone, , finishedfinished!!

Use the Use the present present perfectperfect for an for an action that action that started in the started in the past, but . . .past, but . . .

is is stillstill true true today.today.


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The The pastpast simple simple always refers to always refers to an action or situation that is an action or situation that is finishedfinished..

The The present perfectpresent perfect connectsconnects the past and the present. It is used to the past and the present. It is used to show that an action or situation in show that an action or situation in the past:the past:

-continues today, OR-continues today, OR

-might happen again-might happen again


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Compare the Compare the meaningmeaning of these of these two sentences:two sentences:

1. Sara 1. Sara livedlived in Boston for 5 years. in Boston for 5 years. Past SimplePast Simple

2. Sara 2. Sara has livedhas lived in Boston for 5 in Boston for 5 years. years. Present PerfectPresent Perfect

Sara startSara starteded to live in Boston 5 to live in Boston 5 years years

ago and she is ago and she is stillstill living there. living there.


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Sara has lived in Boston for 5 years

Present Perfect Present Perfect Use the Use the present perfectpresent perfect to talk about something that to talk about something that

beganbegan in the past and in the past and continues into the presentcontinues into the present (and may continue into the future).(and may continue into the future).

future

2009

past

now

has lived in Boston

Sara startSara starteded to live in Boston to live in Boston

5 years5 years


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Sara Sara has livedhas lived in Boston for 5 years. in Boston for 5 years.

Meaning:Meaning: by using the by using the present perfectpresent perfect tense, we mean that Sara tense, we mean that Sara beganbegan living in Boston 5 years ago . . .living in Boston 5 years ago . . .

AND… she’s AND… she’s stillstill living there. living there.

Remember, present perfect:Remember, present perfect:

connectsconnects the past with the present. the past with the present.


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Sara Sara livedlived in Boston for 5 years. in Boston for 5 years.

Meaning:Meaning: by using the simple by using the simple past tense, we mean that Sara past tense, we mean that Sara started living in Boston 5 years started living in Boston 5 years ago . . .ago . . .

AND . . . then she AND . . . then she movedmoved!!Now she lives in a different city, Now she lives in a different city, like Paris.like Paris.

Remember, the past simple is Remember, the past simple is used for a situation that is over, used for a situation that is over, finished, done!finished, done!


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Use the Use the pastpast simple simple with time with time words like:words like:

YesterdayYesterday

Last Last Saturday, week, month, year, etc.Saturday, week, month, year, etc.

Three years Three years agoago……

When I was…When I was…

In 1990 In 1990 (past date)(past date)


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Use the Use the present perfectpresent perfect with with

time words like:time words like:

TodayToday

RecentlyRecently

LatelyLately

ForFor

Since…Since…So far this So far this week, month, year, etc.week, month, year, etc.


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With the With the present perfectpresent perfect you you

don’t need to say the moment or how don’t need to say the moment or how many times you did something.many times you did something.

A: I have never been to Saint Andrew.A: I have never been to Saint Andrew.

B: Really?B: Really?

A: Yes. Have you been to Saint Andrew?A: Yes. Have you been to Saint Andrew?

B: Yes, I have. I B: Yes, I have. I wentwent 20 years ago. 20 years ago.


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We often use present perfect to say that We often use present perfect to say that we have we have nevernever done something at done something at any time in the past.any time in the past.

Example:Example:

I I havehave nevernever visitedvisited London. London.

But someday, I hope toBut someday, I hope to

travel there.travel there.


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With the With the present perfectpresent perfect you can ask you can ask about things people have done:about things people have done:

Example:Example:

A: A: HaveHave you you everever hadhad a car accident? a car accident?

B: No, I have B: No, I have nevernever had a car accident. had a car accident.

And you?And you?

A: I A: I have hadhave had two car crashes, and I two car crashes, and I havehave

learnedlearned to drive better, too. to drive better, too.


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Additional notes about Additional notes about Present Perfect:Present Perfect:

We often use Present Perfect to say that We often use Present Perfect to say that something happened soonersomething happened sooner than than

expected.expected.

Example:Example:

Jan: Jan: Don’t forget to mail that letter.Don’t forget to mail that letter.

Tom: Tom: II’ve’ve (I have) (I have) alreadyalready mailedmailed it. it.


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Remember!Remember!If you are talking about a specific If you are talking about a specific time in the past (yesterday, last time in the past (yesterday, last month, etc.), you month, etc.), you cannotcannot use the use the present perfect.present perfect.

In these cases, use the past simple.In these cases, use the past simple.

I have seen three movies last weekendI have seen three movies last weekend

I I sawsaw three movies last weekend three movies last weekend


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Practice in pairs!Practice in pairs!Choose the Choose the Past SimplePast Simple or or Present PerfectPresent Perfect … …

1. When 1. When I wasI was a child, I ________ ( a child, I ________ (swimswim) a lot.) a lot.

2. 2. This weekThis week, we ____________ (, we ____________ (not/studynot/study) at all.) at all.

3. Henry ________ (3. Henry ________ (bebe) very sick ) very sick recentlyrecently..

4. I ________ (4. I ________ (havehave) a terrible headache ) a terrible headache yesterdayyesterday..

5. It __________ (5. It __________ (rainrain) a lot ) a lot latelylately. .

6. They ________ (6. They ________ (getget) married ten years ) married ten years agoago..

7. I __________ (7. I __________ (gogo) to ) to Coffee Coffee Park Park many timesmany times..

8. My family ________ (8. My family ________ (taketake) vacation ) vacation last yearlast year..

9. Vicky ___________ (9. Vicky ___________ (not/worknot/work) ) last weekendlast weekend..

10. David and Patricia ___________ (10. David and Patricia ___________ (traveltravel) to ) to France France three timesthree times..

swamswam

haven’t studiedhaven’t studied

has beenhas been

hadhad

has rainedhas rained

gotgot

have gonehave gone

tooktookdidn’t workdidn’t work

have traveledhave traveled


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Remember…Remember…You can ask your teacher You can ask your teacher

or another classmate if or another classmate if

you need help.you need help.

Your teacher can give you Your teacher can give you

more explanation, more explanation,

examples, and exercises examples, and exercises

if you need them.if you need them.


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Thank youThank you

past simple vs. present perfect when do we use each tense in english?

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