What's the difference?

Present Perfect
and Past Simple

Present Perfect Simple Past Simple

Unfinished actions that
started in the past and
continue to the present:
• I've known Julie for
ten years (and I still
know her).
A finished action in
someone's life (when the
person is still alive: life
experience):
• My brother has been
to Mexico three times.
A finished action with a
result in the present:
• I've lost my keys! (The
result is that I can't get
into my house now).
With an unfinished time
word (this week, this month,
today):
• I've seen John this
week.
Finished actions:
• I knew Julie for ten years
(but then she moved away
and we lost touch).
A finished action in someone's life
(when the person is dead):
• My great-grandmother went
to Mexico three times.
A finished action with no result in
the present:
• I lost my keys yesterday. It
was terrible! (Now there is no
result. I got new keys
yesterday).
With a finished time word (last
week, last month, yesterday):
• I saw John last week.

Remember:
 1. We use the past simple for past events or actions which have
no connection to the present.
2. We use the present perfect for actions which started in the
past and are still happening now OR for finished actions which
have a connection to the present.
3. We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word:
◦ NOT: I've been to the museum yesterday.

Present Perfect Simple and Present

Perfect Continuous
We use both of these tenses for finished and unfinished actions.
The present perfect simple can be used (often with 'since' and 'for')
to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still
true in the present. It's often used with stative verbs:
• I've known John for three years.
The present perfect continuous can also be used (often with 'since'
and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and
are still true in the present. (Of course, we don't use the present
perfect continuous with stative verbs):
• She's been living here for three years.
Sometimes there's really no difference in meaning between the two
tenses. This is especially the case with verbs such as 'live', 'work'
and 'study':
• They've lived in London since 2004.
• They've been living in London since 2004.
 • I've studied French for ten years.
• I've been studying French for ten years.
• He's worked at the company since 2009.
• He's been working at our company since 2009.
Sometimes, there is a difference in meaning:

1: The present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise the

length of time that has passed. The present perfect simple is
generally neutral:
• They've been waiting for hours! (This emphasises the length of
time).
• They've waited for hours. (This doesn't emphasise the length
of time).
2: On the other hand, the present perfect simple is often used when
we're talking about how much or how many. This isn't possible with
the present perfect continuous:
• She's drunk three cups of coffee this morning.
• She's drunk at least a litre of coffee today.
• (NOT: she's been drinking three cups of coffee this morning).
3: The present perfect continuous often focuses on the action itself,
while the present perfect simple focuses on the fact that the action
is completed:
• I've been reading the book you recommended. (I'm enjoying it,
but I'm not finished).
• I've read the book you recommended. (I've finished it, so we
can talk about it).
We use 'yet' and 'already' with the present perfect simple:
 • Have you read the book yet?
• She's finished her work already.
This difference is often used to talk about different kinds of results in
the present. The present perfect simple is used when the action is
finished, and the result comes from the action being finished:
• I've eaten dinner, so let's go out.
• She's done all her homework, so she can relax this evening.
• I've made a cake. Would you like some?
The present perfect continuous is used when the result comes from
the action itself. It doesn't matter if the whole action is finished or
not. The result is often something we can see, hear, smell, or feel:
• I've been eating dinner, so there are plates all over the table.
• She's been doing her homework, so she's tired.
• I've been making a cake, that's why the kitchen is such a
mess.
4: Finally, the present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise
that something is temporary:
• She's been running a lot recently. (She doesn't usually do this).
• Usually I study at home, but I've been studying in the library for
the last week.

EXERCISES PRESENT PERFECT OR PAST SIMPLE

Past Simple / Present Perfect Simple

A Choose the correct answer.

1. I’m really hungry. I (haven’t eaten / didn’t eat) yet.
2. They (arrived / have arrived) a week ago.
3. We (have worked / worked) here for three years.
4. They (didn’t recognise / haven’t recognised) me at yesterday’s meeting.
5. Our neighbour (was / has been) in hospital since Friday.
6. (Have you travelled / Did you travel) abroad many times?

B Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the
Past Simple or the Present Perfect Simple.

1. John ........................... (not call) me recently.

2. They ........................... (buy) a new car last month.
3. The teacher ........................... (not return) the tests yet.
4. How long ........................... she ........................... (know) about this problem?
5. ........................... you ever ........................... (hear) such an unbelievable story?
6. When I was a child, I ........................... (live) in England for two years.
7. He ........................... (buy) me a beautiful gift for my birthday.
8. I am so excited to have a dog. I ......................................... (always / want) one.

C Correct the error in each of the sentences.

1. Have you ever eat Chinese food?..................................................

2. She has moved to another city last year. ........................................
3. They have sent out the invitations yet. ............................................
4. Jack hasn’t seen Jill since she has graduated. .......................................................

D Complete the passage with suitable words.

I 1 …………………. Always been very fit and healthy, and I have 2…………..had a
serious illness. however, a couple of weeks 3…………………., I caught the flu. I
must admit that until then, I 4………………not realized just how unpleasant the flu
could be. I had a big temperature for nearly a week, and my whole body hurt. I don’t
think I hav 5………………felt so miserable. It’s taking me ages to get my strength
back. It really bothers me that I haven’t had enough energy to play football
6……………I got ill. in fact, I have 7……….been to the doctor to ask if it’s normal to
feel weak for so long. He says I’ll soon feel better. Apparently I’m lucky. For some
people, especially the old and the weak, the flu can be very serious. Doctors have
tried 8…………. Years to find a cure for the flu but they haven’t found one 9………
Fortunately, researchers have developed a vaccine which gives effective protection
against the disease. According to my doctor, most of his elderly patients have
10………….. received their flu shots.
Answers

A
1. Haven’t eaten 4. Didn’t recognize
2. arrived 5. Has been
3. have worked 6. Have you travelled

B
1. hasn’t called / has not called
2. bought
3. hasn’t returned / has not returned
4. has ... known
5. Have ... heard
6. lived
7. bought
8. have always wanted

C
1.Have you ever eaten Chinese food?
2. She moved to another city last year.
3. They haven’t sent out the invitations yet.
4. Jack hasn’t seen Jill since she graduated.
5. Mr Brown has already left the office.
6. We haven’t been abroad for a year.
7. The lesson started ten minutes ago.
8. Has she just left?

D
1. have 6. since
2. never 7. already / just
3. ago 8. for
4. had 9. yet
5. ever 10. already
EXERCISES PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS

Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous Exercise

1. ___________________ (they / arrive) already?

2. Lucy ___________________ (run) 2000 metres today.
3. I ___________________ (clean) all morning – I’m fed up!
4. How long ___________________ (you / know) Simon?
5. I ___________________ (drink) more water lately, and I feel better.
6. Sorry about the mess! I ___________________ (bake).
7. How many times ___________________ (you / take) this exam?
8. He ___________________ (eat) six bars of chocolate today!
9. Julie ___________________ (cook) dinner. Let’s go and eat!
10. The students ___________________ (finish) their exams. They’re very happy.
11. The baby’s face is really dirty! What ___________________ (he / eat)?
12. Iona is exhausted these days. She ___________________ (work) too hard
recently.
13. Luke ___________________ (never / be) abroad.
14. I ___________________ (wait) for three hours already !
15. ___________________ (you / finish) your homework yet?
16. How long ___________________ (you / be) a lawyer?
17. I ___________________ (read) your book all day. It’s very interesting, but
I’m only on chapter 2.
18. She ___________________ (drink) ten glasses of water!
19. I ___________________ (have) my dog for sixteen years.
20. Help, I ___________________ (lose) my wallet! How can I get home?

Answers:
1. Have they arrived already?
2. Lucy has run 2000 metres today.
3. I’ve been cleaning all morning – I’m fed up!
4. How long have you known Simon?
5. I’ve been drinking more water lately, and I feel better.
6. Sorry about the mess! I’ve been baking.
7. How many times have you taken this exam?
8. He has eaten six bars of chocolate today!
9. Julie has cooked dinner. Let’s go and eat!
10. The students have finished their exams. They’re very happy.
11. The baby’s face is really dirty! What has he been eating?
12. Iona is exhausted these days. She has been working too hard recently.
13. Luke has never been abroad.
14. I’ve been waiting for three hours already !
15. Have you finished your homework yet?
16. How long have you been a lawyer?
17. I’ve been reading your book all day. It’s very interesting, but I’m only on
chapter 2.
18. She has drunk ten glasses of water!
19. I’ve had my dog for sixteen years.
20. Help, I’ve lost my wallet! How can I get home?