Past simple / present perfect
Past simple is used:
• Specific events or times
in the past.
I bought a car last week.
My brother was born in 1983.
• To ask when? what time?
Where?
When did you go to the
cinema?
last week , last month
Yesterday, etc
Present perfect is used:
• Actions which happened
in an indefinite time in
the past and with visible
results in the present
I have lost my key. (I can’t find
it now)
I’ve cut my finger!.(He is still
injured now)
• To describe very recent actions
She has just moved to a larger flat.
 Past simple / present perfect
Past simple is used: Present perfect is used:
• For actions which started in
the past and continue in
• To talk about past states the present
that cannot happen again
She has lived in this flat since
2005.
Shakespeare was a writer. She has lived there for three
years.
He wrote plays and poems. (She still lives there!)
(from 1564 to 1616)
• To describe experiences in
our lifetime
Have you ever eaten Chinese food?

I have already eaten snake

 Past simple / present perfect
Time expressions: Time expressions:

• Just, recently
• Yesterday
• ever, never
• last week (...)
• already, yet
• six months ago • since, for
• in 1975 • so far
• at 3 o’clock • how long