Simple Past Tense
We use Simple Past Tense
1) to express actions that started in past and ended in past at a specific time
-I sold my red car last year.
2) to talk about a series of completed actions in the past
-I arrived at 9, read my e-mails, had a coffee then called the client.
3) to talk about past habits
-I always studied hard when I was at university.
Present Perfect Tense
We use Present Perfect Tense
1) to talk about experiences when the time is not important
-I have been to Brazil. (we don’t know when.)
2) to talk about finished actions that have an effect now
-I have broken my leg. (I cannot walk now-the result present)
3) to talk about actions that started in the past and continue into the present
-I have lived here for five years. (I started living here in the past and I am still living
here)
Simple Past Tense vs Present Perfect Tense
Past: action is finished
We were friends for five years. ---we are NOT friends anymore.
I ate two sandwiches for lunch.—the lunch time is over.
Present Perfect: action continues
We have been friends for five years. --- We are STILL friends.
I have eaten two sandwiches for lunch. --- Lunchtime is not over yet and I can still eat more
for lunch.
Past: life experience
My grandfather went to Italy twice. --- He is dead now. He cannot go to Italy anymore.
Present Perfect: life experience
My friend has been to Italy twice. --- S/he is not dead. So, there is a possibility that s/he can
experience Italy again.
Past: a finished action with not result in the present
I lost my wallet yesterday. --- I got the wallet now It was lost and found.
Present Perfect: a finished action with a result in the present
I have lost my wallet. --- I don’t have the wallet. It is still lost.
Past: a finished time word
I didn’t see Mr. Right last week. --- Last week passed and I cannot see him for that specific
week.
Present: an unfinished
I haven’t seen Mr. Right this week.--- This week is still going on and there is possibility of
seeing him anytime.
Sarah: Hi, Kate. You look so pale. Didn’t you sleep last night?
Kate: I spent the whole night working on my essay but I am OK. I’ve stayed up lots of nights
before.
Sarah: Have you finished your essay?
Kate: No, not yet. I’m still working on it. It’s about the Spanish Civil War. I have read two
articles on it, but I am still not ready to start writing yet.
Sarah: It’s an interesting topic. What have you found so far? Have you found anything
interesting?
Kate: Well, it was between Republicans and Nationalists, and ended just before World War
II. Actually, it looks like a rehearsal for WWII. I want to read more about it.
Sarah: I remember my WWII essay. I did quite exhaustive research on the topic and wrote a
long essay about it. There was so much read. I even went to the National Library in the city
centre.
Kate: You handed your essay last term, right?
Sarah: Yes, I did. If you need to do more research, I’m happy to go with you to the National
Library.
Kate: Really? That’d be great!
Questions
1- Is it the first time Kate has stayed up all night?
2- Has Kate finished her essay last night?
3- Has Spanish Civil War attracted Kate’s attention?
4- Did Sarah complete her essay?
5- Has Sarah been to National Library before?
Speaking
1- Have you ever travelled abroad?
2- When did you go on your last trip?
3- What is the longest time you have been away from home?
4- Which city is the best you have ever been to?
5- How many countries have you visited?
6- Where did you go on your last vacation?
7- Who did you go with?
8- How long did you stay there?
9- Did you enjoy being there?
10- Have you ever been to Egypt?
