PAST SIMPLE AND PRESENT

PERFECT
 PAST SIMPLE

We use the past simple to talk about actions that have already
been completed in the past. Most of the time, the time of the
action is always indicated.
PAST SIMPLE STRUCTURE

Positive =Subject + V2+ O

Negative= Subject + didn’t + V1 + O
Questions= Did + subject + V1 +O+?
 Examples

1. I ate rice yesterday.

2. They arrived on Sunday.
3. I didn’t See Jeff at the camp last night.
4. We didn’t go to school last month.
5. My best friend visited me yesterday.
6. Did you see Jane in school today?
 Present perfect

We use present perfect to talk about actions in the past that are still
important now. The time of the action is not important.

V3= Past participle

Affirmative= subject + have, has + v3

Negative= subject + haven’t, hasn’t + v3

Questions = has/have + subject + v3 +?

Wh+ has/have + subject+ v3+ ?

 Present perfect: sentences
1. She has lived here all her life.

2. They have written three letters already.

3. I have worked here since I graduated school.

4. He has finished his homework.

5. We have been to Canada.

6. She has forgotten her folder.

7. Has she ever been to Australia?

8. Have you ever seen a kangaroo?

 Differences between present perfect and past simple
Present Perfect Simple Past Simple
• Use verb 3 • We use verb 2
• We use has/have as verb to be • No verb to be

•Unfinished actions that started in the past and

•Finished actions: I knew Julie for ten years (but
continue to the present: I've known Julie for ten
then she moved away and we lost touch).
years (and I still know her).

•A finished action in someone's life (when the person •A finished action in someone's life (when the person
is still alive: life experience):My brother has been to is dead):My great-grandmother went to Mexico three
Mexico three times. times.

•A finished action with a result in the present: I've •A finished action with no result in the present:
lost my keys! (The result is that I can't get into my I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible! (Now there
house now). is no result. I got new keys yesterday).

•With an unfinished time word (this week, this month, •With a finished time word (last week, last month,
today):I've seen John this week. yesterday):I saw John last week.
Choose past simple or present perfect to complete the sentences

1.How long have you lived here?' 'I _________________ (live) here since 1997.'

2. He lived in London for two years and then he ____________ (go) to Edinburgh.

3. When I left school, I cut my hair and ________________ (wear) it short ever since.

4. Shakespeare ____________________ (write) a lot of plays.

5. My brother _____________________ (write) several plays. He has just finished his latest.

6. I __________________________ (not see) him for three years. I wonder where he is.

7. He _________________________ (not smoke) for two weeks. He is trying to give it up.

8. Chopin ______________________ (compose) some of his music in Majorca.

9. 'When _________________________ (he/arrive)?' 'He arrived at 2 o'clock.'

10. I read his books when I was at school. I _________________ (enjoy) them very much.
Choose past simple or present perfect to complete the sentences

1.How long have you lived here?' 'I have lived (live) here since 1997.'
2. He lived in London for two years and then he went (go) to Edinburgh.
3. When I left school, I cut my hair and have worn (wear) it short ever since.
4. Shakespeare wrote (write) a lot of plays.
5. My brother has written (write) several plays. He has just finished his latest.
6. I have not seen (not see) him for three years. I wonder where he is.
7. He has not smoked (not smoke) for two weeks. He is trying to give it up.
8. Chopin composed (compose) some of his music in Majorca.
9. 'When did he arrive (he/arrive)?' 'He arrived at 2 o'clock.'
10. I read his books when I was at school. I enjoyed (enjoy) them very much.
Change the verb into the correct form of the past simple or present
perfect

1) Last night I lost (lose) my keys - I had to call my roommate to let me in.
2) I have lost (lose) my keys - can you help me look for them?
3) I have visited (visit) Paris three times.
4) Last year I visited (visit) Paris.
5) I have known (know) my great grandmother for a few years - she died when I was
eight.
6) I have known (know) Julie for three years - we still meet once a month.
7) I have known (play) Hockey since I was a child - I'm pretty good!
8) She played (play) hockey at school but she didn't like it.
9) Sorry, I have missed (miss) the bus - I'm going to be late.
10) I missed (miss) the bus and then I missed (miss) the flight as well!