PAST SIMPLEUse: We use the Past Simple to refer to something

in a specific time in the past. It may be an action or a state, and it is finished back in the past.

Examples: “I played basketball with some friends yesterday.”“The students left the room before their teacher.”“One of the students was not engaged in the

activities in class.”

PAST SIMPLEForm: A regular past form ends in -ed. Some

verbs have an irregular past form and they do not end in -ed:

“Robert arrived earlier this morning.” (regular verb)

“The children broke the window when they were playing football.” (irregular verb)

PAST SIMPLEIn negatives and questions we use did as an

auxiliary verb plus the main verb in the infinitive form:

We did not (didn’t) win that game.

Did Paul arrive on time for today`s class?

PAST SIMPLEThe past simple is the same in all persons:

“I/You/He/She/It/We/ They played yesterday.”

“I/You/He/She/It/We/ They did not (didn’t) play with them.”

“Did I/you/he/she/it/we/they play with them?”

PRESENT PERFECTForm: The present perfect is the present simple of

have + a past participle.Examples:

“Juan has washed the dishes.” (OR) “Juan’s washed...”

“I have not finished my homework.” (OR) “I haven’t...”

“Have you written all the necessary details?”

PRESENT PERFECTForm: - Regular past participles end in –ed, e.g.

finished, loved, cleaned.

- Some participles do not end in –ed because they are irregular, e.g. made, broken, taken, been.

PRESENT PERFECTUse: The Present Perfect tells us about the past

and the present and it is usually used to talk about an unspecific time in past.

Examples: “He has done his homework.” (The time of the

action(when) is not mentioned or important.)

“We’ve washed the dishes.” (They’re clean now.)

“The author has written five novels so far.” (S/he may write more novels.)

PRESENT PERFECTgone to or been to?

Compare:a)“Michael’s gone to Ireland. He’s having a

great holiday.” (He is still in Ireland.)b)“Michael’s been to Ireland on holiday. It was

last year.” (He went to Ireland last year and returned.)

Present Perfect or Past Simple?1) The Present Perfect tells us about the present

as the result of a past action, but the Past Simple does not necessarily tell us about the present moment:

“Jane has dyed her hair.” (It is possible to see now the difference in the collour of her hair.)

“Jane dyed her hair last month.” (Jane’s hair may or may not have the same collour as last month.)

Present Perfect or Past Simple?2) We often use the Present Perfect to give a piece of news or

to start a conversation and then use the Past Simple for the details:

A: Have you found your wallet?B: Yes, I have. It was under the cushion.

A: John, that postcard from your sister has arrived. The postman brought it this morning.

B: Oh, good news! Thanks.

Present Perfect or Past Simple?3) Just, already and yet are often used with

the Present Perfect, but Americans sometimes use them with the Past Simple:

a) I’ve just remembered something.I just remembered something. (U.S.A.)b) The bus has already left.The bus already left. (U.S.A.)c) Has your sister replied to your letter yet?Did your sister reply to your letter yet?

(U.S.A.)

Present Perfect or Past Simple?4) We use ever with the Present Perfect to ask

about people’s past experiences, but Americans often use it with the Past Simple as well:

a)A: Have you ever eaten fried tomatoes? B: No, I haven’t.

A: Did you ever eat fried tomatoes? (U.S.A.) B: No, I didn’t.

Present Perfect or Past Simple?Now, compare these examples:

a)“Has Carol ever been to France? Her knowledge of French culture is remarkable.”

b)A: Has Carol been to France yet? She was supposed to come to Spain right after visiting Paris and she is not here. I am looking foward to seeing her again!

B: Oh yes, she’s already left to Madrid. She’s probably about to ‘knock on your door’.

Present Perfect or Past Simple?5) We use today and phrases with this in the

Present Perfect for a period up to the present, but note these examples:

a)Present Perfect:

“I haven’t seen Jody today.” (It’s still day time.)

“Has the post come this morning?”(It is still morning.)

Present Perfect or Past Simple?b) Past simple:

“I didn’t see Jody at school today.” (The school day is over.)

“Did the post come this morning?” (It is later in the day.)

Sources:CLANDFIELD, L. & BENNE, R. Global. Intermediate Coursebook. Macmillan. (adapted)EASTWOOD, J. Oxford Practice Grammar. (adapted)HARMER, J. How to teach English. Oxford Univ. Press. (adapted)