Present perfect or past simple?
1 Use the present perfect to talk about recent events or
a past event which the speaker feels s is connected with
the present.
Certain n time expressions are common with this use
of the present perfect. These include already, yet,
just, ever, never, before.
I haven’t eaten yet. (= I’m hungry now.)
Has he left? (= He isn’t here now.)
2 Use the past simple to talk about a finished action.
Certain n time expressions may be used with the past
simple. These include yesterday, last week, ago, then,
when, in + year.
In the 1980s, computers were large machines.
When did Jaap Haartsen invent Bluetooth?
3 Use the present perfect to talk about an event or
situation n which began in the past and continues now.
We often use time expressions with since and for with
this use of the present perfect, e.g. for a week, since
yesterday, for a long time, since 2004, and ask questions
with How long?
How long have you worked at the British museum?
I’ve worked there for ten years.
4 The choice of the past simple or present perfect can
sometimes depending on the point of view of the speaker,
or on the context.
I didn’t see Emily this morning. (The speaker is talking
at the end of the day and this morning is finished.)
I haven’t seen Emily this morning. (The speaker is
talking in the morning – this morning is still going on.)
Download “Present perfect or Past simple Explanation and Exercises PDF”.
Download “Present perfect or Past simple Explanation and Exercises PDF” Quiz in PDF.
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