Past simple

vs
Present perfect
Read the sentences and identify the verb tense they’re in.

I called Mary 2 minutes ago. Past simple

I have just called Mary. Present perfect

I have been to London twice. Present perfect

I went to London last summer. Past simple

Upgrade 8º | Isabel Filipe | Maria Adelaide Rabaça | Paula Simões

Read the sentences and fill in the gaps.

I met Paul yesterday. Past simple

I’ve known Ana since college. Present perfect

 We use the _______________

past simple to talk about an event or
a situation that happened at a particular time in the past,
which is now finished.

 We use the _______________

present perfect when we’re more
interested in present results or effects of a past action.
The action is unfinished at the time of speaking.

Upgrade 8º | Isabel Filipe | Maria Adelaide Rabaça | Paula Simões

When do we use each verb tense?
Past simple
• We use the past simple to
talk about a finished
time in the past
e.g. I went to London last
summer.
• We use the past simple to
talk about a specific time
in the past
e.g. The train arrived at 10
o’clock.
Upgrade 8º | Isabel Filipe | Maria Adelaide Rabaça | Paula Simões
Present perfect
• We use the present perfect to
talk about a period of time
from the past to the present
e.g. I have studied in
Coimbra since September.
• We use the present perfect to
talk about a recent past event
connected to the present
e.g. She’s lost her wallet.
(she doesn’t have it now)
When do we use each verb tense?
Past simple
• We use the past simple to
talk about a specific event /
action in the past
e.g. When I was in London, I
had a lot of fun.
• We use the past simple
with: yesterday, 3 days /
months / years ago, last
week / month / year, in
2004, in March, in the 21st
century…
Upgrade 8º | Isabel Filipe | Maria Adelaide Rabaça | Paula Simões
Present perfect
• We use the present perfect to
talk about events / actions at
an indefinite time in the past
e.g. They have visited the
Buckingham Palace.
• We use the present perfect
with: just, already, never, yet,
for, since…
 Let’s practise! Choose the correct verb form.

1. My mother played / has played the piano for 20 years and she
loves it.

2. I bought / have bought a new shirt yesterday.

3. I didn't buy / haven’t bought you a present yet.

4. They already arrived / have already arrived, but I didn’t finish /

haven’t finished dinner yet.

5. Bruno went / has gone to the doctor last week.

Upgrade 8º | Isabel Filipe | Maria Adelaide Rabaça | Paula Simões