This document explains the difference between the simple past and present perfect tenses and provides examples of when to use each. The simple past is used for actions completed in the past, while the present perfect connects past actions to the present. Specific time words like "yesterday" require simple past, while unspecific times like "recently" or "ever" require present perfect. Practice exercises are included to reinforce using the correct tense based on meaning.

1. Simple Past vs.Simple Past vs.
PresentPresent PerfectPerfect
By nicole gattBy nicole gatt

2. Remember:
Grammar has meaning!Grammar has meaning!
Different grammar tenses are used inDifferent grammar tenses are used in
different situations or contexts and theydifferent situations or contexts and they
carry different meanings.carry different meanings.
For example . . .For example . . .

3. • Use the simple
past for action
that happened
in the past and
is:
overover,, donedone,,
finishedfinished!!
• Use the
present perfect
for action that
started in the
past, but . . .
is still trueis still true
today.today.

4. • TheThe simple past always refers to analways refers to an
action or situation that isaction or situation that is finishedfinished..
• TheThe present perfect connectsconnects the pastthe past
and the present. It is used to showand the present. It is used to show
that an action or situation in thethat an action or situation in the
past:past:
-continues today, OR-continues today, OR
-might happen again-might happen again

5. Compare theCompare the meaningmeaning ofof
these two sentences:these two sentences:
1. Sara1. Sara livedlived in Boston for 5in Boston for 5
years.years.
2. Sara2. Sara has livedhas lived in Boston for 5in Boston for 5
years.years.
The first sentence uses:
Simple PastSimple Past
The second sentence uses:
Present PerfectPresent Perfect

6. SaraSara livedlived in Boston for 5 years.in Boston for 5 years.
Meaning: by using the simple past tense,by using the simple past tense,
we mean that Sara started living inwe mean that Sara started living in
Boston 5 years ago . . .Boston 5 years ago . . .
AND . . . then sheAND . . . then she movedmoved!!
Now she lives in a different city, likeNow she lives in a different city, like
Paris.Paris.
Remember, the simple past is used for a
situation that is over, finished, done!over, finished, done!

7. SaraSara has livedhas lived in Boston for 5 years.in Boston for 5 years.
Meaning: by using the present perfectby using the present perfect
tense, we mean that Sara began living intense, we mean that Sara began living in
Boston 5 years ago . . .Boston 5 years ago . . .
AND . . . sheAND . . . she stillstill lives there.lives there.
Remember, present perfect:
connects the past with the present.

8. • Use theUse the simplesimple
pastpast with timewith time
words like:words like:
•yesterday
•last Saturday, week, month,
year, etc.
•_______ ago
•when I was…
•in 1990 (past date)
• Use theUse the presentpresent
perfectperfect with timewith time
words like:words like:
•recently/lately
•since …
•so far this
week, month, year, etc.

9. Additional notes aboutAdditional notes about
present perfect:present perfect:
• We often use present perfect to say thatWe often use present perfect to say that
something happened sooner than expected.something happened sooner than expected.
Example:Example:
Jan: Don’t forget to mail that letter.Jan: Don’t forget to mail that letter.
Tom: ITom: I’ve’ve alreadyalready mailedmailed it.it.

10. •We often use present perfect to say thatWe often use present perfect to say that
we havewe have nevernever done something at anydone something at any
time in the past.time in the past.
Example:Example:
II have never visitedhave never visited London. ButLondon. But
someday, I hope to travel there.someday, I hope to travel there.

11. • We often use present perfect with theWe often use present perfect with the
expression: “expression: “This is the first timeThis is the first time.”.”
Example:Example:
Leonard is nervous.Leonard is nervous. This is the first time heThis is the first time he
has flownhas flown on an airplane!on an airplane!

12. •We often use present perfect with “ever”We often use present perfect with “ever”
and “never.”and “never.”
Example:Example:
Patricia: Have you ever played tennis?Patricia: Have you ever played tennis?
Linda: No, I’ve never played before, but ILinda: No, I’ve never played before, but I
would like to learn!would like to learn!

13. Remember!
If you are talking about a specificIf you are talking about a specific
time in the past (yesterday, lasttime in the past (yesterday, last
month, etc.), youmonth, etc.), you cannot use theuse the
present perfect.present perfect.
In these cases, use the simple past.

14. Practice!
Do these exercises with your class.Do these exercises with your class.
Choose the simple past or present
perfect and talk about why each is
necessary.
1. When I was a child, I ________ (swim) a lot.1. When I was a child, I ________ (swim) a lot.
2. So far this week, we ________ (study) a lot.2. So far this week, we ________ (study) a lot.
3. Theo __________ (be) very sick recently.3. Theo __________ (be) very sick recently.
4. I _________ (have) a terrible headache4. I _________ (have) a terrible headache
yesterday.yesterday.
5. It ________ (rain) a lot lately.5. It ________ (rain) a lot lately.
6. They _______ (get) married ten years ago.6. They _______ (get) married ten years ago.
7. I ________ (be) to Balboa Park many times.7. I ________ (be) to Balboa Park many times.
8. My family ________ (take) a vacation last year.8. My family ________ (take) a vacation last year.

15. Answers!
1.1. When I was a child, I, I swam a lot.a lot.
2.2. So far this week, we, we have studied aa
lot.lot.
3. Theo3. Theo has been very sickvery sick recently..
4. I4. I had a terrible headachea terrible headache yesterday..
5. It5. It has rained a lota lot lately..
6. They6. They got marriedmarried ten years ago..
7. I7. I have been to Balboa Parkto Balboa Park many
times. (possibly again in the future)
8. My family8. My family took a vacationa vacation last year..

16. The end