Present perfect vs past simple

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Goals for today

To understand when to use the present perfect and when to use the past simple 

What two parts make the present perfect?

What do regular verb end with in the past simple?

Difference present perfect and past simple

• The present perfect is used when there is a link to the past and now. Either:

1. Unfinished action/state
2. Result (that we see now)
3. Experiences (Life)

• The past simple is used when the action ended in the past and there is no connection to the present.

When do you use a Present Perfect?

* events which started in the past but the effect is still noticeable in the present (unfinished action/state, result)

* experiences in the past (date is not important)

Examples:

I have known Sally for 10 years. (You still know her now)

I can't run, I have broken my leg. (Your leg is still broken at this moment)

I have been to London six times. (Date is not important, you might go again)

When do you use the simple past?

Activities/events which happened is the past and have ended in the past. A time reference is often mentioned.

Examples:

I broke my leg in 2014 (8 years ago, and you are better now)

I moved house last month (This month I am now living in another house)

Keywords:

Present perfect: for, yet, never, ever, just, already, since,

(F.Y.N.E   J.A.S)

Past simple: last, ago, in 2010 (Date), yesterday

(L.A.D.Y)

KEYWORDS PRESENT PERFECT - FIJNE JAS!

If these words are in a sentence you have to use the present perfect

• F   for  (+ time reference)
• Y   yet
• N   never 
• E   ever 

• J   just 
• A   already
• S   since 

When the present perfect is used?
(Name one or more of the situations)

When is the past simple used?
(Don't just say verleden tijd)

I lived in Rotterdam in 2021

I have lived in Rotterdam since 2021

Present Perfect

Past Simple

I have known him all my life.

1. past simple
2. present simple
3. present perfect
4. past perfect

My cat died last week.

1. present simple
2. past simple
3. present perfect

Last night Stephen (to write) ______________ an email to his friend in Canada.

has been writing

wrote

has written

Stephen, (you - to call) ________________your brother yet?

have you called

did you call

you called

I (always to know) __________________________ that I wanted to be an actor.

have always knew

always have known

have always known

Surely, you (not, to forget) ___________________    that she sang in a musical when she (to be)

___________________________fifteen?

did not forget

haven't forgotten

was

was going to be

I .... him an hour ago.

1. saw
2. have seen
3. have been seeing
4. didn't saw

He ..... there since 2015

1. work
2. has worked

Fill in past simple or present perfect.
Jack .........(finish) his exam an hour ago.

I ..................(be) a teacher since 2010.

Continue with...

Unit 4: Lesson 2

Ex. 4, 5

Complete Ex. 6 as a writing exercise first before using it as a speaking exercise

Need a bit more practice? Click on this link 

I understand when to use the present perfect and past simple

No

Past simple but not the present perfect

Present perfect but not the past simple

Yes, I understand them both