Inspector Grammorse: simple past vs present perfect

• Grammar
• Higher Education (degree)

Simple past vs Present perfect

Inspecting phrases

What information do these statements give you?

How much can you extract?

The importance is in the detail!

"They" can also

be used as a genderneutral singular pronoun.

A replacement for "she/he", when you don't know

the gender of the one you talk about.

Interesting case here.
"I've had breakfast!"
What could that mean?

1. It was some time earlier today.
2. Time does not matter.
3. It is still connected to now.
4. I don't care what time I had breakfast

There must be more to be understood from this statement...
"I've had breakfast."

1. Breakfast is finished.
2. This 'today' is not finished.
3. They might have another breakfast.
4. We know what they ate.

"I had breakfast two hours ago."

1. It was a specific past time
2. It is simple past!
3. They are still having breakfast
4. Time doesn't matter

"I've been to Paris twice."
What does that tell us?

1. They are talking about their life experience.
2. The past is specific
3. They are talking about the past
4. It is Present Perfect!

"He has gone to bed."

1. Going to bed has finished.
2. He is in bed now.
3. We are not sure what time he went to bed.
4. The time is specific

"I've eaten breakfast today."
What do we know about this person's action?

1. "Today" is not finished.
2. Their breakfast has not finished yet.
3. "Today" is finished.
4. The action of having breakfast is finished.

Since yesterday, I have received 10 letters.

1. The subject received letters up until now.
2. They might might still be receiving letters.
3. "Now" is not finished.
4. "The period" has not yet ended.

I've already seen that movie.

1. This is just an experience in the past.
2. We can tell when it has happened.
3. We don't know when it happened.
4. We know the details of how it happened.

She's lived in Japan for three years.

1. This female is still living in Japan.
2. The action of living is unfinished.
3. She does not live there at this moment.
4. The action is finished.

"He lived in Brussels for two months."
What can we tell from this statement?

1. He is still in Brussels.
2. He doesn't live there anymore.
3. The action is finished
4. The action is unfinished.