Hello, dear guests of my site! Today I decided to answer one of the most frequently asked questions: what is the difference between Past Simple and Present Perfect?
Past Simple
Let's first understand the forms of education Past Simple.
| Statement | V2 | You liked |
| Negation | Didn't + V1 | You didn't like |
| Question | Did+ V1 | Did you like? |
V2 - second form of the verb (for example, go - went- gone) V1 - the first form of the verb (for example, go- went - gone)
When should we use Past Simple?
Everything is simple here. There must be an indication of the time. For example: yesterday, 2 days ago, on Monday, last year, last month, the day before yesterday, in 2005, on the fifth of July (date), when I was small, etc.
Important! In interrogative sentences after when always goes Past Simple, since the answer implies an indication of time. For example:
When did you go there?
Present Perfect
Now let's figure out how it is formed Present Perfect.
have/has + V3
I have eaten We have eaten
He has eaten You have eaten She has eaten They have eaten
It has eaten
Now let's look at in what cases it is necessary to use Present Perfect.
1. If there is no indication of time. For example:
I have come. (I came.)
2. If there are clue words: already (already) , just (just now) , ever (someday) , never (never) , yet (yet) , so far (already) , recently (recently) and prepositions since (since some time), for (for some time). For example:
He has just made a mistake.
Have you ever been to Paris? But! Were you in Paris? (that is, in this kind of sentence we put the preposition “to” if we use the Present Perfect, and the preposition “in” if we use the Past Simple.
So, let's sum it up!
As you can see, everything is simple. The main difference between using Past Simple And Present Perfect can be reduced to the following statement. If it is said when the action took place, we use the Past Simple, if not, we use the Present Perfect. Well, you just need to learn the hint words)
Band times Simple are simple tenses that are used to describe facts, habits, repetitiveactions.
If you need to describe facts, habits or repeated actions in the present, then use PresentSimple, if in the past, then PastSimple, and if in the future, then FutureSimple.
Example:
Present Simple
They go to work by bus. - They go to work by bus.
They do not go to work by car. - They don't go to work by car.
Do they go to work by bus? - Do they go to work by bus?
Tom goes to the gym. - Tom goes to the gym.
Tom doesn't go to the gym on Saturdays. - Tom doesn't go to the gym on Saturdays.
Does he go to the gym on Sundays? - Does he go to the gym on Sundays?
London is in England. - London is in England.
London is not in Spain. - London is not in Spain.
Is London a big city? - Is London a big city?
Past Simple
I visited my grandmother last Thursday. - I visited my grandmother last Thursday.
My cousin did not visit her. - My cousin didn't visit her.
Who did you visit last Thursday? -Who did you visit last Thursday?
We saw a beautiful rainbow yesterday. - We saw a beautiful rainbow yesterday.
Pity, but I didn’t see it. - It's a pity, but I didn't see her.
Where did you see it? - Where did you see her?
He was happy to see her. - He was happy to see her.
He was not happy to see her. - He wasn't happy to see her.
Was he happy to see her? - Was he happy to see her?
Future Simple
He will see his friend tomorrow. - He will see his friend tomorrow.
He will not (won’t) see his friend tomorrow. - He won't see his friend tomorrow.
Will he see his friend tomorrow? - Will he see his friend tomorrow?
They will take English lessons twice a week. - They will have English lessons twice a week.
They will not take English lessons twice a week. - They won't have English lessons twice a week.
Will they take English lessons twice a week? - Will they have English lessons twice a week?
Word " continuous” translated means “long”, thus the times of the group Continuous describe actions in progress, which take/have taken some time. If the process occurs in the present, then it is PresentContinuous, if it happened at some time in the past, then it is PastContinuous.
Example:
Present Continuous
I am listening to music at the moment. - I'm listening to music now.
I am not listening to you. - I'm not listening to you.
What am I listening to? - What am I listening to?
She is reading a book now. - She is reading a book now.
She is not reading a magazine. - She doesn't read the magazine.
Why is she reading a book? - Why is she reading a book?
They are writing an exercise now. - They are writing the exercise now.
They are not writing a letter. - They don't write a letter.
Are they writing an exercise? -Are they writing an exercise?
Past Continuous
Nelly was talking on the phone at 3 o’clock. - Nellie spoke on the phone at 3 o’clock.
Nelly was not talking on the phone at 5 o’clock. - Nellie didn’t speak on the phone at 5.
When was Nelly talking on the phone? - When did Nellie talk on the phone?
We were planting the trees all morning yesterday. - We planted trees all morning yesterday.
We were not planting the bushes all morning yesterday. - We didn’t plant bushes all morning yesterday.
Were we planting the trees all morning yesterday? - We planted trees all morning yesterday?
Time PresentPerfect used when it is necessary to talk about an action that happened in the past, but the result of this action is relevant at the moment.
Example:
They have seen this film. - They saw this film.
They have not seen this film. - They haven't seen this film.
Have they seen this film? -Have they seen this film?
Mary has broken my computer. - Mary broke my computer.
Mary has not broken my mobile phone. - Mary didn't break my phone.
What has Mary broken? - What did Mary break?
In order to choose the correct grammatical tense in a sentence, you need to pay attention to “ clue words", or " signal words».
|
Present Simple |
usually, always, often, every day, sometimes, regularly, rarely, never |
|
Past Simple |
last week, yesterday, last month, days ago, the other day, long time ago |
|
Future Simple |
soon, tomorrow, next Monday, in the future |
|
Present Continuous |
still, at the moment, at present, this minute |
|
Past Continuous |
at six o’clock yesterday, when my father came, while |
|
Present Perfect |
since, for, ever, never, just, already, yet |
To better understand and master the peculiarities of using the tenses discussed in this lesson, you must do the following exercise.
Choose the correct form of the verb.
- He doesn't usually goes/is going/has gone to school by bus.
- Yesterday morning I was getting up/has got up/got up at 6.30.
- What is Peter doing/does Peter do/was Peter doing now?
- Please don't make so much noise. I was studying/am studying/studied.
- Have you heard/Did you hear/Do you hear anything from Tom since Christmas?
- Have you gone/Did you go/Are you going out last night?
- New York is/be/does one of the largest cities in the world.
- It is raining/was raining/rained now.
- John never won/has never won/was never winning a prize at a race.
- We have done/did/are doing a lot last Sunday.
- Nick worked/has worked/was working hard all day yesterday.
- I did not find/was not finding/have not found my ring yet.
- They have built/build/will build this house next summer.
- Tom was playing/played/has played tennis Ann called him.
Answers to the exercise:
- got up
- is Peter doing
- am studying
- have you heard
- Did you go
- is raining
- has never won
- was working
- have not found
- will build
- was playing
Bibliography
- Afanasyeva O. V. Series “New English course for Russian schools.” 5th grade. - M: Bustard, 2008.
- Fomina I. N., Fomina L. V. English in algorithms. - Dnepropetrovsk, 2007.
- Pakhotin A. Everything about modal verbs and the subjunctive mood in English. - M: Karev Publisher, 2005.
- Dubrovin M.I. Illustrated guide to English grammar. - M: “Nachala-Press”, 1992.
Homework
- Ex. 227 Golitsynsky Yu. Grammar: Sat. exercises. - 5th ed., - St. Petersburg: KARO, 2005. - P. 183.
- Ex. 228 Golitsynsky Yu. Grammar: Sat. exercises. - 5th ed., - St. Petersburg: KARO, 2005. - P. 185.
- Translate into English using verbs in Present Simple, Past Simple, Future Simple, Past Continuous, Present Continuous, Present Perfect:
a) I have never seen such a fat cat!
b) Listen! Someone is playing the violin.
c) Where do you spend your holidays?
d) I didn’t eat soup yesterday.
e) The day before yesterday I watched TV series all day.
f) They will visit us next spring.
g) Have you ever been to Japan?
- Internet portal Serge-flamel.narod.ru ().
- Internet portal Study-languages-online.com ().
- Internet portal Native-english.ru ().
Russian-speaking students have a difference between tenses Present Perfect And Past Simple raises the most questions and doubts. In Russian language sentences "I've already finished work" And “I finished work 2 hours ago” this is the same past tense, however in English it is two ideologically different times.
There is good news! If you are not going to live in England or take one of the international English exams, then you can safely use Past Simple in all cases, as Americans do in spoken English. In British English, and in exams such as IELTS, FCE, CAE and others, rules for using tenses Present Perfect And Past Simple very strict and strictly regulated. Continuation of the article for those who want to get to the bottom of the truth...
The key to understanding the differences between times Present Perfect And Past Simple in their name. Present Perfect: present translated into Russian as " the present“, therefore, this time is connected with the present, that is, an action that happened in the past still affects the present. Past Simple: past in Russian it is " past“, means that the action happened in the past and remained there and no longer affects the present. Main principle: Present Perfect- there is a connection with the present, Past Simple– there is no connection with the present.
In order to understand what time should be used in each specific case, you need to answer the following questions:
1. Is it known when the action took place?
Yes – Past Simple: I bought this hat yesterday– I bought this hat yesterday
No – Present Perfect:I have bought this hat recently– I bought this hat recently
2. What is important, the exact time when the action occurred, or the number of times?
Time of action – Past Simple: I was in Paris last year– I was in Paris last year.
Number of times – Present Perfect:I have been to Paris twice in my life– I have been to Paris 2 times in my life.
3. What is more important, the action or its result?
Action – Past Simple:I started learning Chinese– I started learning Chinese (you don’t even have to specify when exactly, because I’m just telling you what I did in the past)
Result – Present Perfect:I have started learning Chinese– I started learning Chinese (in this sentence I want to emphasize that I now know another foreign language)
4. Has the action started in the past already finished?
Yes – Past Simple: We were friends for seven years– We were friends for seven years (but then something happened and we stopped being friends)
No – Present Perfect: We have been friends for seven years– We have been friends for 7 years (we started being friends 7 years ago and are still friends)
5. Is the result of the completed action visible in the present?
No – Past Simple: I won a large amount of money two years ago, but I spent everything in six months– I won a large sum of money two years ago, but I spent it all in six months. (that is, I had money in the past, but I don’t have it anymore)
Yes – Present perfect: I have won in a lottery! I'm not poor anymore!– I won the lottery! I'm not poor anymore! (literally I have my winnings in my hands)
6. Has the time period in which the action took place ended?
Yes (last week/month/year, yesterday, three months/weeks/days/years ago etc.) – Past Simple: She visited her friends yesterday She visited her friends yesterday.
No (this week/month/year, today, etc.) – Present Perfect:I have sent five e-mails this morning– I sent five emails this morning (this morning is not over yet)
7. Is the action over?
Yes – Past Simple: I learned Chinese two years ago– I learned Chinese two years ago (I already know it)
No – Present Perfect:I have learned Chinese for two years– I’ve been studying Chinese for two years (but haven’t mastered it completely yet)
8. Is the person in question alive?
No – Past Simple: My great-grandmother went to London twice– My great-grandmother was in London twice (she has already died)
Yes – Present Perfect: My friend has been to London three times– My friend has been to London three times (he is still alive)
9. What interrogative word begins the question, “When...?” or “How long...?”
“When...?” – Past Simple: “When did you start learning English?” “I started learning English five years ago”- “When did you start learning English?” “I started learning English five years ago”
“How long...?” – Present Perfect:“How long have you learned English?” “I have learned English for five years”– How long have you been studying English? I've been studying English for five years.
IMPORTANT! The latest news is presented in the Present Perfect, and details are presented in the Past Simple. The same rule applies when talking about news and life events.
Famous actress has confirmed the divorce with a famous singer(news submitted to Present Perfect). She packed her bag and left their house in Los Angeles(details supplied in Past Simple).
I once have gone to Spain(life event is presented in Present Perfect). There I had time of my life. We visited many towns and villages. And we especially enjoyed the architecture of Barcelona(details in Past Simple)
Words - markers:
Past simple:
- yesterday
- last week/month/year/century
- In (2013)
- when
- then
- 3 hours/minutes/days/years ago
- for (only for completed actions)
Present Perfect:
- Already
- Never
- Ever
- Just
- Lately
- This week/month/year
- Since
IMPORTANT!
last time– last time, last time ( Past Simple)
recently, lately- last time ( Present Perfect)
That's all the rules. I hope you found the answers to all your questions about the correct use Present Perfect And Past Simple.
Being non-English speaking people, you and I must be aware that the Russian and English languages often use different logic. For native Russian speakers, three tenses are enough: present, past and future. There are many more tense forms in English. Let's try to understand the logic of English speakers and deal with one of the most interesting topics: the difference between Present Perfect And Past Simple.
If you want to refresh your knowledge about these times, we recommend reading the articles “” and “”.
Present Perfect and Past Simple: how to choose the right time
The most important thing to remember: Past Simple– this is the past tense, it communicates that it has already ended. Present Perfect– present tense, it tells about something that began in the past and has not yet ended or has ended, but has a connection with the present. In most cases, there are clues in the context of the sentence that help us figure out which tense to choose. In some situations, we can choose our own timing depending on what we want to say.
We propose to familiarize yourself with the main functions of the two tenses in the form of a visual table.
| We use Past Simple | We use Present Perfect |
|---|---|
| If the sentence indicates a specific time when the action occurred. My friend went to India on Saturday . - My friend left to India on Saturday. |
If the time indicated is “blurred”, inaccurate or not indicated at all. The action began in the past, no matter when. My friend has been to India many times recently . - My friend was in India many times last time. |
| With words yesterday(yesterday), two hours ago(two hours ago), last month(last month), etc., since they indicate a period of time that has already ended. Yesterday we ate . – Yesterday We ate |
With words today(Today), this week/month(this week / this month) etc., as they show a period of time that is still ongoing. Today we have eaten four muffins in a cozy small café round the corner. – Today We ate four buns in a small cozy cafe around the corner. |
| If an action began in the past and ended in the past. He worked . - He have worked 10 years in this company. (he does not work for this company now, the action ended in the past) |
If an action began in the past but is still ongoing in the present. He has worked in this company for ten years. - He works 10 years in this company. (he started working in the past and continues to work now, the action continues in the present). |
| If the action happened in the past and cannot happen again. Mr. Stevenson performed more than sixty surgeries when he was a surgeon. – Mr. Stevenson spent more than sixty operations when he was a surgeon. (now he is not a surgeon and does not perform operations) |
If the action happened in the past and can happen again. Mr. Stevenson is a surgeon. He has performed more than sixty surgeries. - Mr. Stevenson is a surgeon. He spent more than sixty operations. (he is still working as a surgeon and continues to perform operations) |
| If something happened in the past, but in the present the situation has already changed. I lost my sunglasses, but I found them the next day. - I lost sunglasses, but found them the next day (lost them, but the situation has changed: I found them, and now I have glasses) |
If something happened in the past, but in the present the situation has not changed, but remains the same. I have lost my sunglasses I can't find them anywhere. - I lost Sunglasses. I can't find them anywhere. (I lost it, and the situation still hasn’t changed: I’m without glasses) |
| After alliances when(When), after(after), until(as long as) as soon as(as soon as), by the time(to the moment as) if the action belongs to the past. As soon as Kim checked in at the hotel, she went shopping. – As soon as Kim registered at the hotel, she went shopping. |
After alliances when(When), after(after), until(as long as) as soon as(as soon as), by the time(to the moment as), if the action relates to the future. As soon as Kim has checked in at the hotel, she will go shopping. – As soon as Kim register at the hotel, she will go shopping. |
We have reviewed the main points that help you choose the right time. But in some proposals controversial situations may arise when Past Simple, And Present Perfect seem appropriate. What to do in this case? Let's figure it out:
- Expressions this morning(this morning), this afternoon(Today), this evening(this evening), this night(tonight) can denote either a completed or an unfinished period of time. If morning/afternoon/evening/night is not over yet, use Present Perfect. If the period you are talking about has already ended, take Past Simple.
I took a shower this morning. - I accepted shower this morning. (this is what you say if the morning is already over and it’s afternoon, evening, etc.)
I have taken a shower this morning. - I accepted shower this morning. (the morning is not over yet)
- When we report new or recent events, it is preferable to use Present Perfect. However Past Simple is also considered the correct time. The fact is that different versions of the language have their own preferences. For example, the British prefer Present Perfect, Americans - Past Simple.
I have checked the engine. It's working well now. = I checked the engine. It's working well now. - I checked engine. Now it works well.
If you are talking about ancient events, use Past Simple.
She moved to Japan long time ago. - She moved a long time ago to Japan.
- The latest news is always transmitted to Present Perfect. However, if the news is followed by details of the event, then in all other sentences it is used Past Simple.
The train has crashed this afternoon (news). The accident happened near Munich (detail). Fortunately, no one was injured(detail). - Train got off derailed this afternoon (news). Accident happened near Munich (detail). Fortunately, no one not injured(detail).
The kitchen equipment exhibition has opened in Paris (news). It was opened by the Mayor of Paris (detail). The best French chefs visited it (detail). - In Paris opened exhibition of kitchen equipment (news). She was open Mayor of Paris (detail). The best French chefs visited her (detail).
- With adverbs just(just now), already(already), yet(already, yet) the British prefer to use Present Perfect, Americans - Past Simple. However, in two versions of the language both tenses are considered correct.
Lin hasn't come yet. – Lin haven't arrived yet. (more common in British English, less common in American)
Lin didn't come yet. – Lin haven't arrived yet. (more common in American English, less common in British)
- If you have a complex sentence with the conjunction since, then the part of the sentence before the conjunction must be in time Present Perfect, and after it - in time Past Simple. Past Simple indicates a specific moment in the past, and Present Perfect- that the action is still ongoing or is somehow connected with the present.
She has appeared in three musicals since she moved to New York. - She played in three musicals since I moved to New York.
I'm hungry. It has been an hour since we ordered pizza. - I am hungry. Passed hour since We ordered pizza.
However, if the moment in the past is still ongoing, we can use Present Perfect in two parts of a sentence.
She has never seen her boss since she has worked here. - She I've never seen boss since it has been working Here.
- Be careful when using Past Simple in relation to people, since this tense indicates the elapsed period of time. If you use time Past Simple, this may mean that a person cannot repeat some action. If you do not specify the reasons for this, your interlocutor may think that the person is no longer alive.
He always loved singing. - He always loved sing. (now he no longer loves him, since he is no longer alive)
He has always loved singing. - He always loved sing. (loved in the past and continues to love to this day)
He always loved singing, but now he prefers dancing to singing. - He always loved sing, but now prefers dancing to singing.
- We use Present Perfect when we talk about an action that occurred in an indefinite period of time. But if you know that the person is no longer alive, you need to use Past Simple.
She is a young promising writer. She has written an interesting novel. “She’s a young, promising writer.” She wrote interesting novel.
Leo Tolstoy is a famous Russian writer. He wrote War and Peace. – Leo Tolstoy is a famous Russian writer. He wrote"War and Peace".
Finally, we suggest you watch the video with the teacher Benjamin and take a test that will help you make sure that you are now well versed in tenses Present Perfect And Past Simple. Don't forget to download the table with the main functions Present Perfect And Past Simple.
(*.pdf, 197 Kb)
Test
Present Perfect and Past Simple: the difference between tenses
There is never too much time! Especially when it comes to the tense system in English. Today the focus is on the fundamental difference between Present Simle and Past Simple.
Cases of use
There are 12 tense forms in English. The Russian language is not characterized by such diversity. Therefore, it is not surprising that young “Anglomaniacs” find it difficult to understand the English category of time. But there is always a way out: comparison. But you can only compare objects that are being compared - those that have some common features and differences. The pair Present Simle and Past Simple is one of these. What unites them is the aspect - Simple or Indefinite (Simple or Indefinite), indicating that we are dealing with an ordinary, everyday, repetitive action. But there is a whole abyss that lies between the past (Past) and the present (Present).
The following table shows all the uses of the two tenses with examples:
|
Present Simle |
Past Simple |
|
To describe ordinary actions relevant in the present: Mark is thirty years old - Mark is thirty years old. Ann is a teacher - Anna is a teacher. |
To describe an ordinary, single action that ended in the past: Mark was thirty years old last year - Mark was thirty years old last year. Ann was a teacher two years ago - Anna was a teacher two years ago. |
|
To describe regularly repeated actions in the present: Tom is never late - Tom is never late. Fred usually goes to the swimming pool in the evening - Fred usually goes to the pool in the evening. |
To describe old habits, repeated actions in the past that are not relevant today: TOP 3 articleswho are reading along with this Tom was never late many years ago - Tom was never late many years ago (now he is not punctual). Fred usually went to the swimming pool in the evening four months ago - Fred usually went to the swimming pool in the evening four months ago (he doesn’t do this now). |
|
To describe the hard facts: The sun rises in the East - The sun rises at sunrise. Three plus two is five - Three plus two equals five. |
To tell a story that happened in the past, or to list several actions that happened one after another in the past: Mary entered the café, ordered a cup of coffee and stratified waiting for her sister - Mary entered the cafe, sat down at a table, ordered a cup of coffee and began to wait for her sister. |
|
With time markers such as usually, sometimes, every day, always, today, tonight, often, rarely and others . They indicate the regularity of the action and the period of time when it occurred - the present. |
With the following time markers: yesterday, the day before yesterday, two days ago, last weekend and others. They show that the action took place in the past. |
When a sentence talks about repeated actions in the past, they can use such adverbs of time as often (often), always (always), sometimes (sometimes) and others. They are characteristic not only of Present Simle (Simple Present), but also of Past Simple (Simple Past), as they emphasize a certain regularity, repetition of actions, which is characteristic of the Simple aspect.
Education
The main difference between Present Simle and Past Simple is when, in what period of time the event occurred - in the present or past. It also affects the form of the verb. The following table tells how the form of the verb in Present Simle (Simple Present) differs from Past Simple (Simple Past) and how they are formed:
Another difference is the translation of these temporary forms into Russian. Present Simle is translated by a present tense verb, and Past Simple is translated by a past tense verb.
What have we learned?
Today we talked about how to distinguish Present Simle from Past Simple. They are united by the Simle aspect, indicating the repetition of the action. They have many differences: the tense of action - present and past, the way of forming verb forms, translation into Russian.
Test on the topic
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