The document discusses the differences between using the present perfect and simple past tenses. It states that the simple past should be used when a definite time in the past is provided, such as with phrases like "ago" or when specifying a date or time. Examples are provided that contrast using the present perfect versus simple past in sentences where the time of the action is clearly in the past.

1. PRESENT PERFECT AND
SIMPLE PAST
Grammar Explanation

2. USE THE SIMPLE PAST FOR A FINISHED ACTION WHEN A
DEFINITE TIME IN THE PAST IS GIVEN.
• I have had an email account since the 1980s =
• I got an email address in the 1980s.
• I have been using email for almost 40 years =
• I started using email almost 40 years ago.

3. USE THE SIMPLE PAST FOR A FINISHED
ACTION WHEN A DEFINITE TIME IN THE PAST
IS GIVEN.
Explanation Examples
You must generally use the simple past with
ago.
• I’ve had a driver’s license for ten years =
• I got a driver’s license ten years ago.
• Ms. Agard has taught English since 1971.
• She began to teach more than 50 years
ago.

4. USE THE SIMPLE PAST FOR A FINISHED
ACTION WHEN A DEFINITE TIME IN THE PAST
IS GIVEN.
Explanation Examples
You must generally use the simple past for a
definite time in the past like a date, a day or a
time.
• I’ve had a driver’s license for ten years =
• I got a driver’s license ten years ago =
• I got a driver’s license in 2012.
• I have have been working on this
assignment since two o’clock.
• She began to work on this assignment at
two o’clock.

5. I HAVE HAD A DRIVER’S LICENSE FOR TEN YEARS.
Past X X future
now

6. I GOT A DRIVER’S LICENSE TEN YEARS AGO.
Past X X future
now

7. I GOT A DRIVER’S LICENSE IN 2012.
Past X X future
now