SIMPLE PAST OR PRESENT PERFECT
USAGE RULES
TIME EXPRESSIONS
MISTAKE DETECTIVE
100

The simple past and past participle of to be. (Q)

What is were, was and been?

100

Define simple past.

Simple past refers to completed actions, states or events in the past.

100

The tense is used for indirect speech. (Q)

Is the simple past used for indirect speech?

100

There was no more tickets left.

There were no more tickets left.

200

She said she _____________ (do know) what it was like to be husbandless but she could imagine.

She said she didn’t know what it was like to be husbandless but she could imagine.

200

True or false: the present perfect is often used with phrases like “last week” or “yesterday”.

false

200

The tense is usually used with “before”. (Q)

Is present perfect used with “before”?

200

The meeting finishes at about 5 o’clock.

The meeting finished at about 5 o’clock.

300

He ate four burgers (yesterday/ before).(Q)

What is yesterday?

300

The tense is usually used for politeness. (Q)

What is simple past?

300

Fill in the blank: We use_____ (tense) with “since” to show an action started in the past and continues.

present tense

300

 I caught up on a lot of sleep when I have been too ill.

I have caught up on a lot of sleep when I was too ill.

400

I wish it ____ (be) over now.

I wish it was over now.

400

The tense is commonly used in reportage. (Q)

What is present perfect?

400

True or false: We use “just” with the present perfect to show a recently completed action.

true

400

I lived here eight or nine years and I would know if there was a crack.

I have lived here eight or nine years and I would know if there was a crack.

500

The linesman ’s given the decision, but what astounds me is that he has sent Taricco off before he _______ (speak) to the linesman.

The linesman ’s given the decision, but what astounds me is that he has sent Taricco off before he spoke to the linesman.

500

Explain why we use present perfect for this sentence: “I have been unwell for the past six weeks”.

The speaker has been unwell for a time and it is in some way relevant at the moment of speaking (maybe it influences his performance).

500

The  _______ (tense) is used for Background Information (specfic acts, events) and the ______(tense) is used for Foreground Information (general statements, facts).

past tense and present tense

500

If I was you, I am careful of what I say.

If I were you, I would be careful of what I said.