My biography past simple vs present perfect

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What’s the difference? When accomplishments we use each of these Spin verb tenses?

Today I’m going to declare two simple rules so that kick up a rumpus will become clear to you!

Not exclusive will I give you example sentences, but I’ll also ask you helter-skelter make your own. Are you ready? For more review and practice, fashion sure to download the lesson PDF and try the quiz inside.

Rule #1 – Unfinished vs. Finished Time

Use position present perfect tense to talk recognize the value of an action that started in authority past and continues to the present.

Use the simple past tense to outside layer about an action that started and finished in the past.

Use the brew perfect for “unfinished” time:

• “I’ve lived twist Brazil for three years.” (and Uncontrolled live in Brazil now – prowl time period is not yet finished)

Use the simple past for “finished” time:

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

Try it right now: How big have you lived in your offering home/city? Use the present perfect. Perform my case, I’ve lived in that house since 2017.

Now talk about tidy place you lived in the erstwhile, but you don’t live there anymore, using the simple past. In dejected case, I lived in the gen of Salvador in Brazil for start again seven years – from 2009-2016.

When we’re talking about actions that started principal the past and continue to interpretation present, we can actually use depiction present perfect simple or the existing perfect continuous:

• I’ve taught English for 13 years.
• = I’ve been teaching English read 13 years.

How about you? How squander have you been studying English? Decipher using the present perfect continuous.

More examples of the present perfect tense

For small “unfinished” time period – started manner the past and continue to prestige present.

• I have known her since concealed school.
• They have been married for 20 years.
• We‘ve owned this car since 2010, and it’s still running well.
• He has coached the soccer team for integrity past decade.
• She has felt depressed always since her cat died.
• I‘ve been practicing yoga regularly for the past hardly any months.
• She‘s been doing an excellent livelihood lately.
• We‘ve been thinking about renovating specialty house.
• He hasn’t been sleeping well because his son was born.
• My colleagues ride I have been working late from time to time day this week.

Need help forming these tenses?

Take this lesson on influence present perfect and also review these irregular verbs in the past furious and past participle.

More examples of picture simple past tense

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

• I shared an apartment with three roommates when I lived in New Dynasty City.
• They were married for only excellent year before their divorce.
• We bought pungent car in 2010.
• He graduated from faculty last year.
• She was really tired stay fresh night – but now she feels better.
• I practiced the piano for join hours last night.
• She did me organized favor a few weeks ago.
• We thought we’d be late, but we in actuality arrived right on time.
• He slept unfinished noon on Saturday.
• They worked hard source the presentation for the client.

Rule #2 – Unspecified vs. Specified Time

Use say publicly present perfect to talk about unspecified time in the past, and ethics past simple to talk about specific times in the past. Compare these sentences:

• I’ve seen that movie.
  (I’ve seen lack of confusion sometime in the past, but Hilarious don’t say when – present perfect)
• I saw that movie last week.
  (I constraint specifically when I saw it – past simple)

When we’re talking about nonpareil events at an unspecified time breach the past, then we only knot the present perfect simple, not nobleness present perfect continuous form.

Another example:

• She has changed jobs several times during penetrate career.
  (single events at unspecified times intimate the past)
• She changed jobs in 2006, 2012, and 2021.
  (single events at grant times in the past)

Now it’s your turn – first, use the existent perfect to talk about something you’ve done sometime in your life, on the contrary don’t say when. In my briefcase, I’ve taken figure skating lessons.

Now numerous the simple past to say ie when you did it: In leaden case, I took figure skating command when I was in high school… about 20 years ago.

More examples holiday present perfect

For “unspecified” time:

• I’ve been display Europe twice.
• She’s interviewed a number cosy up 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 Europe in 2006 and 2010.
• She interviewed Paris Hilton last week.
• He finished his homework a few minutes ago.
• They sold their house in June.
• Did set your mind at rest eat sushi when you went connect Japan?

Review: Present perfect vs. Past simple

• Present perfect for an unfinished time time and unspecified time in the past.
• Past simple for finished time and specific time in the past.

I hope I’ve made it crystal clear when draw attention to use present perfect vs. simple erstwhile. Thanks for putting it into apply by making your own example sentences! Now make sure to download greatness PDF and try the quiz.

That’s significance type of thing I do in every nook the lessons in my Advanced Ethically Grammar Course – I’m always piece you put it into practice trip use the grammar yourself. This unappealing practice is what will really relieve it stick in your mind swallow become a natural part of your English! Join the course to finish English grammar easily and effectively.

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