Past simple vs. present perfect

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Present Perfect - Past Simple

       Present perfect             Past simple

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you should be able to explain when to use present perfect versus past simple

Introduce the learning objective and emphasize that it is crucial to master the difference between the two tenses since they are both commonly used in everyday conversations.

What do you already know about the difference between present perfect and past simple?

What is Present Perfect?

Present Perfect is a tense used to describe an action that started in the past and still has relevance to the present.

today

--------------------------X--------------------------

yesterday                                   tomorrow

Explain what Present Perfect is and give examples such as 'I have lived in London for 5 years' and 'She has eaten breakfast already.'

What is Past Simple?

Past Simple is a tense used to describe an action that took place and ended in the past.

today

--------------------------X--------------------------

yesterday                   tomorrow

Explain what Past Simple is and give examples such as 'I lived in London for 5 years' and 'She ate breakfast at 7am.'

Using Present Perfect

Use Present Perfect when the action started in the past and still has relevance to the present.

today

--------------------------X--------------------------

yesterday                       tomorrow

Provide examples such as 'I have seen that movie three times already this month' and 'He has studied Spanish for two years.'

Signal Words for Present Perfect

Signal words for Present Perfect include 

'already', 'yet', 'ever', 'never', 'just', 'since', and 'for'.

Fyne jas!      

Explain that signal words are a good indicator to help identify when to use Present Perfect.

Signal Words for Past Simple

Signal words for Past Simple include 

'yesterday', 'last', 'ago', and 'in'.

Explain that signal words are a good indicator to help identify when to use Past Simple.

I understand this!

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Present Perfect - Past Simple

       Present perfect             Past simple

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
She _____ (to play) the piano since she was 4.

1. played
2. have played
3. has played

Past simple / present perfect
When I was a child I ...............(read) a lot of comics.

1. read
2. readed
3. have read
4. have readed

Past Simple <> Present Perfect:
I ..... just ..... my telephone call.

1. has just finished
2. have just finished
3. did just finish
4. am just finishing

Past simple / present perfect
I ............. ( break) my leg, now I can't walk anymore.

1. breaked
2. broke
3. have breaked
4. have broken

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
How long ____ (she + live) in Britain?

1. did she live
2. did she lived
3. have she lived
4. has she lived

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I _________ that before.

1. did never
2. do
3. didn't
4. have never done

past simple-present perfect
We ... (not) yet, so we are hungry.

1. didn't eat
2. didn't eaten
3. haven't ate
4. haven't eaten

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I _______ (always + like) playing board games.

1. always like
2. always liked
3. have always liked
4. has always liked

Past Simple <> Present Perfect

I _____ (be) a teacher for 11 years now.

1. was
2. has been
3. were
4. have been

past simple-present perfect
No thank you, no more food for me. I ... lunch.

1. did already have
2. did already had
3. have already had
4. had already had

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
______ you _____ (eat) eggs for breakfast yesterday?

1. Did ... ate
2. Have ... eaten
3. Did .... eat
4. Has ... eaten

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I don't think we _____ (to meet).

1. meeted
2. have meeted
3. met
4. have met

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
He ..... not ..... on the lights yet.

1. did not switch
2. did not switched
3. has not switch
4. has not switched

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I _____ (to work) at a book store last year.

1. worked
2. have worked
3. has worked

Past Simple <> Present Perfect

______ (you + see) Janet recently?

1. Did you see
2. Did you saw
3. Have you seen
4. Have you saw

Past simple / Present perfect

I (walk) to school yesterday

1. have walked
2. walked
3. walk
4. am walking

Past Simple <> Present Perfect

______ (you + see) Janet last night?

1. Did you see
2. Did you saw
3. Have you seen
4. Have you saw

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I ______ (to see) her last month.

Past Simple / Present Perfect:
They ______ (not - to speak) to Tommy for a week.

Irregular verbs
Past simple+ present perfect of:
seek

Irregular verbs
Past simple+ present perfect of:
show

Past simple/ present perfect
John .... (leave) for work ten minutes ago.

Irregular verbs
Past simple+ present perfect of:
draw

Irregular verbs
Past simple+ present perfect of:
fight

Past Simple/ Present Perfect
Some policemen ......... (catch) the criminals two days ago.

Past Simple / Present Perfect:
A week ago I ____ (to fall) off my bike.

Past Simple / Present Perfect
The internet ___ (not exist) in 1980.

Past Simple / Present Perfect
I ......... (know) Julie for three years.

Irregular verbs
Past simple+ present perfect of:
shake

Past Simple / Present perfect:
I'm sorry, but I ____ (forget) my homework.
(voluit)

Irregular verbs
Past simple+ present perfect of:
stand

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
How long ____ (she + live) in Britain?

Past Simple / Present Perfect
David ___ (send) me an email five minutes ago.

Translate. Use past simple, present perfect.

Ik heb hem gisteren niet gezien.