USES
OF PRESENT
PERFECT AND SIMPLE PAST
OF PRESENT
PERFECT AND SIMPLE PAST
An action which started in the past and continues up to the present.
Present Perfect
I ......................(read) all his books - I think he's a wonderful writer.
have read
I _____________ here since I left school.
have worked worked
have worked
I have studied German in 2002.
studied
They ....................... (go) to Germany when he ....................... (be) only 4.
went/ was
For an action which happened at an indefinite time in the past. Give an example
Present Perfect
Eg: I have been to Europe
How long ........................(you/know) Susie for?
have you known
I _______________ to Australia when I was a student. went have been
went
How long do you have your computer?
have you had
There _______ (be) a lot of accidents last year, and there _________ (be) a lot this year, too.
were / have been
For two or more consecutive actions which were completed in the past . Give an example
Simple Past
Eg: She got up, got dressed and went to school
I ........................(not/have) any coffee today - I feel very sleepy!
haven´t had
When Jack was at school, he _____ (learn) to play the saxophone. He _____ (play) it ever since.
learned- has played
Have you studied German when you were at school?
Did you study...?
When we ________ (reach) the cinema, there _______ (not be) any tickets left.
reached / weren´t
For an action whose time is no mentioned and is not connected to the present. Give an example
Simple Past
I met Maradona once
He ..........................(be) married for ten years (but he got divorced).
was
Maria lives in Boston. Before she _____ (move) here, she ____ (live) in Seattle for three years.
moved-lived
He didn’t learn the irregular past participles yet
hasn´t learnt
I................(not-eat) anything at midday because I ............(not-be) angry. Now it´s snack time and I´m starving!
didn´t eat - wasn´t
for actions which finished so recently that there is evidence in the present. Give 2 examples, include two time expressions (check location)
Present Perfect
Eg: I have just washed the car.
They have moved house recently.
When I ................(be) a child, I .................(love) ice-skating.
When I was a child, I loved ice-skating.
She ... three letters this morning,
but she ... them yet although it is already 3:00pm. has written, haven't posted
wrote, hasn't posted
wrote, haven't posted has written, hasn´t posted
wrote, hasn´t posted
How long are you in this country?
have you been
A. Hello, Susan. Is Alan there?
B: No, I´m afraid he ..............(go) out.
A: When exactly ..............................(he /go out)?
B: About ten minutes ago
has gone / did he go