Present Perfect vs.

Simple Past
Present perfect
The present perfect often expresses an action or state happened at an indefinite time in the past. It does not
express a definite time in the past; the action happened at any time up to the present.
The present perfect can also express an event that has occurred repeatedly from a point in the past up to the
present time. The event may happen again.
There are some adverbs commonly used with the present perfect and are: ever, never, so far, yet, still, and
already.
The present perfect often describes recent past actions and experiences, especially when their results are
important in the present. Adverbs like lately, recently, and just emphasize this meaning of recent past time.
Also in the present perfect we can notice the use of since and for.
The present perfect use the auxiliary have or has and the verb in past participle.

I have slept in the couch.

He has slept in the couch.
She has slept in the couch.
It has slept in the couch.
They have slept in the couch.
We have slept in the couch.
You have slept in the couch.

The negative form of the present perfect is not and goes right after the auxiliary and before the verb. (have not
= haven’t / has not = hasn’t)

I have not slept in the couch.

The information question and Yes/No Questions in the present perfect use the auxiliary have or has and the
verb in past participle.
Information Question Yes/No Question
What have you understood in the class? Have you understood? Yes, I have / No, I have not
Where has he played soccer? Has he played soccer? Yes, he has / No, he hasn’t
Exercise 1

Complete the conversations with the words in parentheses and the present perfect. Use contractions when

possible. Then practice the conversation with a partner.

Conversation 1
A: __________________________ (you / eat) in the cafeteria?

B: No, but I _________________________ (hear) that its very good and very fast. It seems that the dean finally

_________________________ (begin) to understand that most students don’t have time for lung lunch breaks.

Conversation 2
A: How long _________________________ (Chris/be) married?

B: He _________________________(be) married for only a year, but he and his wife

_________________________ (know) each other since they were in college.

Conversation 3
A: I_________________________ (not/send) my parents any email for a week. They probably think that

something terrible_________________________(happen) to me.

B: I’m surprised that they _________________________(not/call) or _________________________(write) you.

Conversation 4
A: we had a long list of things to do. What _________________________(we/do) so far?

B: Well, we _________________________(make) a lot of progress. So far, I_________________________(do)

the laundry, you _________________________(sweep) the kitchen, and

Eric_________________________(buy) the groceries. But we still _________________________(not/take) the

clothes to the cleaners.

The present perfect expresses actions and states that began in the past and continue at the present time. These

sentences often have expressions with for, since, or all to indicate how long the situation lasted.

How long have you studied here?

Since: a specific point in time (e.g.,
I’ve studied here for twenty years. (I still study here.) 2015, last August, three o’clock, a
time clause.)

I’ve studied here since 1983. (I still study here.) For: a length of time (e.g., two
months, three years.)

I’ve studied here all my life. (I still study here.)

Adverbs That Express Recent Past Time

Just means “right before now.” It comes before the past participle.

The president has just spoken.

Recently means “not long ago.” It comes before the past participle, or at the beginning or end of the sentence.

She’s recently traveled to Paris. She has traveled to Paris recently.

Recently, she’s traveled to Paris.

Lately also means “not long ago.” It comes at the beginning or end of the sentence.

Lately, it has rained awful. It has rained awful lately.

Adverbs Used with Indefinite Past Time

 Adverbs such as already, yet, still, so far, ever, and never are frequently used with the present perfect to

express the connection between the past and the present.

We’ve already played. They still haven’t studied.

They have not eaten hamburger yet. So far, She’s visited 50 cities.

❖ Exercise 2

Complete the sentence with since or for.

1. The weather has been hot ___________________ a long time.

2. Hillary has studied French ___________________ less than a month.

3. Mr. and Mrs. Holloway have been together _______________________ they were in college.

4. They have known each other _______________________ more than three years.

5. We haven’t seen Aron _______________________ las month.

6. I’ve had fever ________________________ over a week.

7. I haven’t heard from my brother _____________________________ the beginning of January.

8. ______________________________________________________________________________

9. ______________________________________________________________________________

10. ______________________________________________________________________________

11. ______________________________________________________________________________

❖ Exercise 3
Answer the questions. Work with different classmates. Write the name of the student that answer your

question.

1. How many textbooks have you bought since the beginning of the year?

______________________________________________________________________________

2. How many photos have you posted so far this month?

______________________________________________________________________________

3. How many questions have I asked so far?

______________________________________________________________________________

4. How many times have you flown in an airplane?

______________________________________________________________________________

5. How many people have you met since you came here?

______________________________________________________________________________

6. How many classes have you missed since the beginning of the scholar year?

______________________________________________________________________________

7. How many snacks have you had since you got up this morning?

______________________________________________________________________________

8. How many classes have you had so far today?

______________________________________________________________________________

9. ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

10. ______________________________________________________________________________