Perfectly Simple: Understanding the Present Perfect and Present Simple Tenses

Perfectly Simple: Understanding the Present Perfect and Present Simple Tenses

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to differentiate between the present perfect and present simple tenses and use them correctly in English sentences.

Introduce the learning objective and explain to the students what they will be able to do at the end of the lesson.

What do you already know about using present perfect and present simple tenses in English?

Present Simple Tense

The present simple is used for actions that are habitual, general truths, or facts. It is formed with the base form of the verb.

Introduce the present simple tense and provide examples of sentences that use this tense. Encourage students to take notes.

Present Simple: Examples

She walks to school every day. He plays soccer on the weekends. The sun rises in the east.

Provide examples of present simple sentences and ask students to identify the subject and verb.

Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect is used for actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past, for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, and for past actions with present consequences. It is formed with the auxiliary verb 'have' and the past participle of the verb.

Introduce the present perfect tense and provide examples of sentences that use this tense. Encourage students to take notes.

Present Perfect: Examples

I have seen that movie before. They have lived in this city for three years. She has lost her keys again.

Provide examples of present perfect sentences and ask students to identify the subject, auxiliary verb, and past participle.

Forming Present Perfect Tense

Subject + have/has + past participle verb

Explain the structure of the present perfect tense and provide examples. Ask students to create their own sentences using this structure.

Forming Present Simple Tense

Subject + base form of verb

Explain the structure of the present simple tense and provide examples. Ask students to create their own sentences using this structure.

Contrasting the Tenses

The present simple tense is used for habitual or general actions, while the present perfect tense is used for actions that have a connection to the present or were completed at an unspecified time in the past.

Highlight the differences between the two tenses and provide examples of sentences that demonstrate the differences.

Practice: Present Simple vs Present Perfect

Identify the tense of the following sentences: They have been friends since childhood. She listens to music every day. I have visited Paris twice. He goes to the gym three times a week.

Provide practice exercises for students to identify which tense is used in sentences. Ask them to explain their reasoning.

Practice: Forming Sentences

Create a sentence using the present simple tense. Create a sentence using the present perfect tense.

Provide opportunities for students to practice forming sentences using both tenses. Provide feedback and corrections as necessary.

Using Time Expressions

Time expressions like 'yesterday', 'last week', and 'in 2010' are common with the past simple tense. Time expressions like 'already', 'yet', and 'just' are common with the present perfect tense.

Explain how time expressions can be used to indicate the tense of a sentence. Provide examples of sentences that use time expressions with each tense.

Common Irregular Verbs

Some verbs have irregular past participles, such as 'go' (gone) and 'eat' (eaten). It is important to memorize the past participles of irregular verbs to use the present perfect tense correctly.

Provide a list of common irregular verbs and their past participles. Encourage students to practice using them in sentences.

Exceptions to the Rules

There are exceptions to the rules for using the present perfect and present simple tenses, such as stative verbs and verbs of perception. It is important to learn these exceptions to use the tenses correctly.

Explain the exceptions to the rules and provide examples of sentences that use these exceptions.

Common Errors to Avoid

Common errors to avoid when using these tenses include using the present perfect for actions with specific past times and using the present simple for actions with present consequences. It is important to practice and review to avoid these errors.

Highlight common errors and provide examples of sentences that demonstrate these errors. Encourage students to ask questions and seek clarification.

Review

The present simple is used for habitual, general, or factual actions, while the present perfect is used for actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past, for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, and for past actions with present consequences. It is important to use time expressions and avoid common errors when using these tenses.

Review the key points of the lesson and provide an opportunity for students to ask questions or seek clarification.

Assessment

Create three sentences using the present perfect tense and three sentences using the present simple tense. Use at least one irregular verb and one time expression.

Provide an assessment task for students to demonstrate their understanding of the tenses and key points of the lesson. Provide feedback and corrections as necessary.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.