Present Perfect Simple Past Simple

Unfinished actions that started in

the past and continue to the Finished actions:
present:
 I knew Julie for ten years (but then she
 I've known Julie for ten years moved away and we lost touch).
(and I still know her).

A finished action in someone's

A finished action in someone's life (when
life (when the person is still alive:
the person is dead):
life experience):
 My great-grandmother went to Mexico
 My brother has been to Mexico
three times.
three times.

A finished action with a result in A finished action with no result in the

the present: present:

 I've lost my keys! (The result is I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible!
that I can't get into my house (Now there is no result. I got new keys
now). yesterday).

With an unfinished time word With a finished time word (last week, last
(this week, this month, today): month, yesterday):

 I've seen John this week.  I saw John last week.

Remember:

1. We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to
the present.
2. We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still
happening now OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
3. We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word:
 Signal Words

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

 yesterday  just
 ... ago  already
 in 1990  up to now
 the other day  until now / till now
 last ...  ever
 (not) yet
 so far
 lately / recently

EXERCISES

Positive Sentences

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. Mary (win) the lottery last year.

2. We (prepare / already) dinner

3. James (find) your ring in the garden yesterday.

4. He (come / just) home.

5. They (buy) their car two years ago.

Negative Sentences

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. I (see / not) anyone yet.

2. Phil (go / not) to the cinema last night.

3. We (be / not) to the zoo so far.

4. She (arrive / not) yet.

5. Emily (visit / not) me last week.

 Questions

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. (you / read) the book yet?

2. How many letters (they / write) so far?

3. When (he / tell) you that?

4. (you / be) at home last night?

5. How often (you / travel) abroad till now?

CONVERSATION

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. A: (you / taste / ever) _______________sushi?

2. B: Yes, I (eat) _________________sushi at least five times so far.
3. A: When (you / eat)_______________sushi for the first time?
4. B: I (eat)________________ sushi for the first time on my dad's 50th birthday.
He (invite)______________ the whole family to a Japanese restaurant.
5. A: (you / like) _________________it?
6. B: Absolutely. In fact, it (be) ____________so good that we (be) __________to
that restaurant three times yet. And on my mum's birthday,
we (order) _____________some sushi and (have) ___________it at home.