Differences and similarities in the Present Perfect and

the Simple Past

1. Use

Present Perfect Simple Past

• result of an action in the

past is important in the
present • action finished in the past

• recently completed • series of completed actions in the past

actions
• actions beginning in the
past and still continuing
• together with lately,
recently, yet, since, for,
already
• together with Past Continuous – The Simple Past
interrupted an action which was in progress in the past.
• It is used with yesterday,…ago, last week/month/year,
etc.

2. Signal words

Present Perfect Simple Past

• just

• yet

• never
• yesterday
• already
• last week
• ever
• a month
• so far
ago
• up to now
• in 2012
• recently

• since

• for

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3. Form

Present Perfect Simple Past

regular verbs → infinitive + ed

have/has + past
irregular verbs → 2nd column of the table of
participle *
the irregular verbs

* past participle:

• regular verbs → infinitive + -ed

• irregular verbs → 3rd column of the table of the irregular

verbs

4. Examples
4.1. Affirmative sentences

Present Perfect Simple Past

I have played football. I played football.

You have played football. You played football.

He has played football. He played football.

4.2. Negative sentences

Present Perfect Simple Past

I have not played football. I did not play football.

You have not played football. You did not play football.

He has not played football. He did not play football.

4.3. Questions

Present Perfect Simple Past

Have I played football? Did I play football?

Have you played football? Did you play football?

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 Has he played football? Did he play football?

5. Spelling (Present Perfect and Simple Past)

• stopped (Double the consonant after a short vowel.)

• loved (one -e at the end of the word → Add only -d.)

• worried (consonant before -y → Change to -i.)

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