Form
| Simple Past | Present Perfect Simple |
| irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs Example: I spoke | irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular verbs Example: I / you / we / they have spoken he / she / it has spoken |
| regular verbs: infinitive + ed Example: I worked | regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed Example: I / you / we / they have worked he / she / it has worked |
Use
In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. As soon as a time expression in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if its consequence in the present is important.
Note that the following explanations and exercises refer to British English only. In American English, you can normally use Simple Past instead of Present Perfect. We cannot accept this in our exercises, however, as this would lead to confusions amongst those who have to learn the differences.
Certain time in the past or just / already / yet?
Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it was just a few seconds ago) or that an action has just / already / not yet happened?
| Simple Past | Present Perfect Simple |
| certain time in the past Example: I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago. | just / already / not yet Example: I have just phoned Mary. |
Certain event in the past or how often so far?
Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how often an action has happened till now?
| Simple Past | Present Perfect Simple |
| certain event in the past Example: He went to Canada last summer. | whether / how often till now Example: Have you ever been to Canada? / I have been to Canada twice. |
Emphasis on action or result?
Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to emphasise the result (a past action's consequence in the present)?
| Simple Past | Present Perfect Simple |
| Emphasis on action Example: I bought a new bike. (just telling what I did in the past.) | Emphasis on result Example: I have bought a new bike. (With this sentence I actually want to express that I have a new bike now.) |
Signal Words
| Simple Past | Present Perfect Simple |
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Exercises
a) Present perfect or past simple?
1. Jane (stay) at home yesterday. 
2. Your letter (arrive|) two days ago.
3. I (live) here for ten years.
4. Last week we (go) to the cinema.
5. The game (start). They are playing now.
6. I (phone) you at five and you weren't there.
7. I (lose) my watch, I can't find it.
8. Last month Sarah (travel) to Italy.
9. I (work) all day and now I'm tired.
10. We (buy) a new house last week.
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Complete the sentences using Present perfect or past simple?
1. Look. I (buy) new trousers.
2. I (watch/never) such an exciting football match.
3. (you/watch) the football match yesterday?
4. (when/the match/begin)?
5. Last Saturday we (have) an open day at our school.
6. (Mike/ever/be) to New York?
7. Where is Mary? I (not see) her yet.
8. I (be) born in 1990.
9. Sally (just/come) home from school.
10. Do you know this man?
- No, I (not see) him before.
11. I (meet) Mr Hill at the weekend in the park.
12. Would you like a cup of tea?
- No, I (already/have) one thanks.
13. (the coach/arrive) yet?
14. We (live) in Nuremberg three years ago.
15. Sally and her friends (just/win) the match.
16. Where (be/you) yesterday?
Listening Happy Birthday
