Simple Past or Present Perfect
Grammar Basics
Simple Past vs. Present Perfect
In general, we can say that:
Simple tenses are used to describe facts without providing much detail about when situations or events begin or end.
Present tenses describe actions or events that have some sort of connection between one point of time and another point of time.
SIMPLE PAST
Used for things that are FINISHED
To talk about something that happened once in the past
That happened only once.
That is finished and concluded.
Can be an event that happened for a short time, or a long time.
In 2010, I went to Florida on vacation.
During my Erasmus program, I improved my English while I studied in Amsterdam for three months.
PRESENT PERFECT
Used for things that connect to NOW
For a situation that started in the past and continues into the present
These events are not concluded.
We may also use the Progressive Perfect Continuous if it refers to a temporary situation or action.
I’ve lived here since 2019.
I’ve been working in London as a bartender for the past three months.
SIMPLE PAST
Used for things that are FINISHED
To talk about something that happened often in the past that no longer happens now.
It did or didn’t happen regularly.
It doesn’t happen any more and is finished / concluded.
For talking about old routines and habits.
When I lived in London, I visited Covent Garden Market all the time.
In the past, people worked in the fields and did a lot of hard labour.
PRESENT PERFECT
Used for things that connect to NOW
A series of completed events or actions that happened between now and another point in the past.
It’s highly possible that this event or action will happen again.
I've been to Rome 5 times and I can’t wait to go there again.
There have been many instances of war and conflict between societies in the past.
SIMPLE PAST
Used for things that are FINISHED
To talk about something that was true during a period of time
It is now ended or finished.
I went swimming all the time when I was a kid.
When I lived in Brussels I worked as an English Teacher. I taught at a local high school.
PRESENT PERFECT
Used for things that connect to NOW
An event that happened in a period of time that hasn’t finished yet
With expressions that talk about when the action happened:
this morning, today, this week, this year, this month, in the last few weeks, etc.
I've been to Rome 5 times and I can’t wait to go there again.
There have been many instances of war and conflict between societies in the past.
PRESENT PERFECT
Used for things that connect to NOW
A completed event that happened in an unspecified time between the past and now
Puts emphasis on the result of the action.
It looks like they have repainted this room.
It looks like they have moved to a new city.
Other uses include:
An event recently concluded, using the adverb just.
I’ve just finished work.
Something that that happened in the past that still has an impact now:
Oh no… I’ve lost my keys!
Since and For
Since and for indicate respectively when an event started (since) and for how long it lasted (for).
They have been here for two days.
I’ve lived here since June 2015.
- refers to the duration of time.
- refers to when it began.
FOR
Used with numbers and amounts
To talk about something that was true during a period of time.
For 2 years
For 10 months
For the past 5 years
For a few minutes
SINCE
Used with specific dates
Names of days, months, and specific years
Since Tuesday (names of days)
Since April (names of months)
Since 2012 (specific year, not an amount of years)
Since the 1st of June (specific date)
Since my birthday (specific day)
Examples:
How long have you been studying English for?
I’ve been studying English for about 6 years.
How long have you been studying English for?
I’ve been studying English since 2015.
Since is also used to begin sentences:
Since I was a kid...
Since I moved to this city...
Since (I was in) high school / university...
Never and Ever
Ever - are used to describe facts without providing much detail about when situations or events begin or end.
Never - escribe actions or events that have some sort of connection between one point of time and another point of time.
Have you ever eaten sushi?
I’ve never eaten sushi before.
I’ve eaten sushi many times.
Have you ever been to Italy?
I’ve never been to Italy before.
I’ve been to Italy before.
Remember, in English we cannot use "double negatives":
✘ I have not never been there.
🗸 I haven’t ever been there.
🗸 I’ve never been there.
Note that these constructions use the Present Perfect.
If we talk about details about the event, then we use the Simple Present.
Have you ever been to Italy?
I’ve been to Italy before. I went there in 2018 and I had a great time.
Tips
The Present Perfect is usually only used for introducing a topic. Once introduced, we use the Simple Present to talk about details.
Q: Have you ever been to the United States?
R: Yes, I’ve been there once. I went there in 2008. I went to New York City.
Another common way to use the Present Perfect is in passive constructions when talking about changes:
The black chair on the left has been replaced by a red coach.
The cluster of houses have been replaced by a parking lot.
The forest has been demolished and replaced with a park.
Note that no details are given about when these events happened.