Present Perfect Vs Simple Past Tense
Present Perfect [ Sub + have/has + V3.....]
Use to talk about :
- Past action showing the result in the present.
Ex. She has done her homework.
- Past action continues to the present ( for & since)
Ex. I have worked here for 20 years.
- Life experience
Ex. They have visited Angkor Wat once.
Simple Past Tense [ Sub + V2.....(Past expression).]
Use to talk about the action that started and finished at a specific time in the past.
Example
- She went to bed at 11 last night.
- They played soccer last week.
- He didn't come to school yesterday
📚 Present Perfect vs Simple Past
Master the difference between these two important tenses!
📖 Grammar Review
🔴 Simple Past
Subject + Verb-ed / Irregular past form
Use: Completed actions at a specific time in the past
Examples:
- I visited Paris last year.
- She finished her homework yesterday.
- They went to the cinema on Friday.
🟢 Present Perfect
Subject + have/has + Past Participle
Use: Actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or past actions with present relevance
Examples:
- I have visited Paris many times.
- She has finished her homework.
- They have never been to Japan.
🔑 Key Differences:
- Time reference: Simple past uses specific time (yesterday, last week), present perfect doesn't specify when
- Connection to present: Present perfect shows relevance to now, simple past is completely finished
- Signal words: Simple past (ago, yesterday, last...) vs Present perfect (already, yet, never, ever, just...)
🎯 Practice Quiz
Choose the correct tense for each sentence
🎉 Quiz Complete!
0/15
Tags
easy grammar