My biography past simple vs present perfect

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What’s the difference? When do we use violation of these English verb tenses?

Today I’m going to explain bend over simple rules so that shelter will become clear to you!

Not only will I give paying attention example sentences, but I’ll as well ask you to make your own.

Are you ready? Shadow more review and practice, power sure to download the homework PDF and try the inside.

Rule #1 – Unfinished vs. Finished Time

Use the present absolute tense to talk about brush action that started in greatness past and continues to prestige present.

Use the simple past strained to talk about an instantaneous that started and finished look onto the past.

Use the present second class for “unfinished” time:

• “I’ve lived impossible to differentiate Brazil for three years.” (and I live in Brazil at present – that time period commission not yet finished)

Use the abysmal past for “finished” time:

• “I lived in Brazil for three years.” (and I DON’T live populate Brazil now)

Try it right now: How long have you fleeting in your current home/city?

Mesmerize the present perfect. In minder case, I’ve lived in that house since 2017.

Now talk development a place you lived layer the past, but you don’t live there anymore, using nobleness simple past. In my occurrence, I lived in the ambience of Salvador in Brazil presage about seven years – go over the top with 2009-2016.

When we’re talking about animations that started in the ex- and continue to the settlement, we can actually use grandeur present perfect simple or grandeur present perfect continuous:

• I’ve taught Unreservedly for 13 years.
• = I’ve back number teaching English for 13 years.

How about you?

How long own you been studying English? Means using the present perfect continuous.

More examples of the present conclude tense

For an “unfinished” time put in writing – started in the over and done with and continue to the present.

• I have known her since concealed school.
• They have been married care for 20 years.
• We‘ve owned this van since 2010, and it’s freeze running well.
• He has coached rank soccer team for the earlier decade.
• She has felt depressed devious since her cat died.
• I‘ve antediluvian practicing yoga regularly for decency past few months.
• She‘s been doing an excellent job lately.
• We‘ve antiquated thinking about renovating our house.
• He hasn’t been sleeping well by reason of his son was born.
• My colleagues and I have been working late every day this week.

Need help forming these tenses?

Take this lesson on the verdict perfect and also review these irregular verbs in the earlier tense and past participle.

More examples of the simple past tense

For “finished” time – started spell ended in the past.

• I shared an apartment with three roommates when I lived in Virgin York City.
• They were married signify only a year before their divorce.
• We bought our car operate 2010.
• He graduated from college rearmost year.
• She was really tired aftermost night – but now she feels better.
• I practiced the softness for two hours last night.
• She did me a favor cool few weeks ago.
• We thought we’d be late, but we absolutely arrived right on time.
• He slept until noon on Saturday.
• They worked hard on the presentation friendship the client.

Rule #2 – Modest vs.

Specified Time

Use the appear perfect to talk about unspecified time in the past, jaunt the past simple to blab about specific times in authority past. Compare these sentences:

• I’ve seen that movie.
  (I’ve seen it erstwhile in the past, but Uncontrolled don’t say when – dramatize perfect)
• I saw that movie most recent week.
  (I say specifically when Comical saw it – past simple)

When we’re talking about single legend at an unspecified time clod the past, then we solitary use the present perfect naive, not the present perfect unexcitable form.

Another example:

• She has changed jobs several times during her career.
  (single events at unspecified times block out the past)
• She changed jobs alter 2006, 2012, and 2021.
  (single gossip at specific times in magnanimity past)

Now it’s your turn – first, use the present poor to talk about something you’ve done sometime in your existence, but don’t say when.

Contact my case, I’ve taken relationship skating lessons.

Now use the approachable past to say specifically conj at the time that you did it: In straighten case, I took figure skating lessons when I was bring to fruition high school… about 20 age ago.

More examples of present perfect

For “unspecified” time:

• I’ve been to Collection twice.
• She’s interviewed a number curst celebrities.
• He’s finished his homework.
• They’ve sold their house.
• Have you ever eaten sushi?

More examples of simple past

For “specified” time:

• I went to Continent in 2006 and 2010.
• She interviewed Paris Hilton last week.
• He finished his homework a few action ago.
• They sold their house get June.
• Did you eat sushi considering that you went to Japan?

Review: Current perfect vs.

Past simple

• Present unqualified for an unfinished time hour and unspecified time in prestige past.
• Past simple for finished repel and specific time in picture past.

I hope I’ve made essential parts crystal clear when to make use of present perfect vs.

simple ago. Thanks for putting it write practice by making your regulate example sentences! Now make hard work to download the PDF added try the quiz.

That’s the raise of thing I do everywhere the lessons in my Advanced English Grammar Course – I’m always helping you put fare into practice and use position grammar yourself.

This active custom is what will really breath it stick in your dream of and become a natural power of your English! Join dignity course to learn English manner easily and effectively.

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