Grammar – Topic 17
Simple Past Tense and Present Perfect Tense
Two types of
tenses that often cause confusion is the simple past tense and the present
perfect tense.
Read the
dialogue below.
Jim: I went
to a beach resort last month.
Peter: Oh, I
have never gone to a beach resort before. What is it like?
|
In the sentences
above, Jim uses the simple past tense (went) and Peter uses the present perfect
tense (have gone).
The present
perfect tense is made up of the words:
has/have + past
participle form of the verb
Click HERE for a list of past participles.
Simple Past Tense
|
Present Perfect Tense
|
Describe past
actions with or without mention of a
specific time
|
·
Describe
past actions without mention of a
specific time
·
Describe
actions in the past that still affect
the present
·
Describe
actions in the past that have
continued till the present
|
Describe past habits
|
Here are some
examples.
1.
Simple past tense: The specific time is stated.
The courier delivered the parcel yesterday.
Present perfect tense: The specific time is not stated. (Words like ‘already’, ‘yet’ and ‘just’ can be used.)
The courier has delivered the parcel.
The courier has just delivered the parcel.
The courier has already delivered the parcel.
The courier has not delivered the parcel yet. (This is a negative sentence.)
Simple past tense: The specific time is stated.
The courier delivered the parcel yesterday.
Present perfect tense: The specific time is not stated. (Words like ‘already’, ‘yet’ and ‘just’ can be used.)
The courier has delivered the parcel.
The courier has just delivered the parcel.
The courier has already delivered the parcel.
The courier has not delivered the parcel yet. (This is a negative sentence.)
Remember to use the simple past tense if the specific time is stated.
In 2016, my aunt and uncle migrated to Australia.
We visited Canada two years ago.
Chloe started a new job last month.
In 2016, my aunt and uncle migrated to Australia.
We visited Canada two years ago.
Chloe started a new job last month.
2.
Simple past tense: The event is over and it does not affect anything
in the present.
The elderly lady collided with a cyclist.
Present perfect tense: The event is over but it might still have an effect at the present moment.
The elderly lady has collided with a cyclist and she is now sitting by the side of the road.
The elderly lady collided with a cyclist.
Present perfect tense: The event is over but it might still have an effect at the present moment.
The elderly lady has collided with a cyclist and she is now sitting by the side of the road.
3.
Simple past tense: The event has completely ended.
He was the manager of the shipping company.
The word ‘until’ can also be used to show a specific time.
He was the manager of the shipping company until 2010.
(This means that he stopped being the manager of the shipping company after 2010.)
The words ‘from…to’ or ‘between…and’ can also be used.
He was the manager of the shipping company from 2000 to 2010.
He was the manager of the shipping company between 2000 and 2010.
Present perfect tense: The event still continues today. (Words like ‘for’ and ‘since’ are used.)
He has been the manager of the shipping company for the past five years.
He has been the manager of the shipping company since 2015.
Simple past tense: The event has completely ended.
He was the manager of the shipping company.
The word ‘until’ can also be used to show a specific time.
He was the manager of the shipping company until 2010.
(This means that he stopped being the manager of the shipping company after 2010.)
The words ‘from…to’ or ‘between…and’ can also be used.
He was the manager of the shipping company from 2000 to 2010.
He was the manager of the shipping company between 2000 and 2010.
Present perfect tense: The event still continues today. (Words like ‘for’ and ‘since’ are used.)
He has been the manager of the shipping company for the past five years.
He has been the manager of the shipping company since 2015.
Let’s Practise
Circle the correct answer.
1.
When my
grandfather was young, he _________ goods from the ships to the warehouse.
(1)
carry
(2)
carries
(3)
carried
(4)
has
carried
2.
I _________
my main course and I would like my dessert now, please.
(1)
finish
(2)
finishes
(3)
finishing
(4)
have
finished
3.
The dog _________
by its master’s side until its master passed away.
(1)
stay
(2)
stays
(3)
stayed
(4)
has
stayed
4.
I _________
the acceptance letter from the university already and I will start school next
month.
(1)
receive
(2)
receives
(3)
received
(4)
have
received
5.
George _________
the chairperson of the committee from 2005-2015.
(1)
is
(2)
are
(3)
was
(4)
has been
6.
Two years
ago, a group of hikers _________ their lives while trekking up a steep
mountain.
(1)
lose
(2)
lost
(3)
losing
(4)
have lost
7.
I rushed
to hug my grandmother when she _________ at my house.
(1)
arrives
(2)
arrived
(3)
arriving
(4)
has
arrived
8.
Never _________
I heard such a melodious voice!
(1)
has
(2)
had
(3)
have
(4)
having
9.
I have
never _________ the sunrise before so I hope to see it when we visit the beach
resort next weekend.
(1)
see
(2)
saw
(3)
seen
(4)
sees
10.
It was
Tommy who _________ the classroom after school.
(1)
cleans
(2)
cleaned
(3)
will
clean
(4)
has
cleaned
Answers:
1.
3
2.
4
3.
4
4.
4
5.
3
6.
2
7.
2
8.
3
9.
3
10.
2
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