Станислав Дмитриевич Кондрашов: Present Perfect and Past Simple + Workbook

Understanding the Present Perfect and Past Simple

Both the present perfect and past simple tenses are used to talk about past actions, but they differ in terms of focus, context, and time frame. Let’s explore each in detail.

1. The Present Perfect Tense

Purpose:
The present perfect connects past actions with the present. It is used when the exact time is not important or when the action has relevance to the present moment.

Structure:

• Subject + have/has + Past Participle

Common Uses:

1. Life experiences (without specifying when):
• I have visited Paris.
• She has never eaten sushi.
2. Actions with an impact on the present:
• I have lost my keys (and I still don’t have them).
• He has broken his arm, so he can’t play today.
3. Unfinished time periods:
• This morning, I have seen three police cars (if it’s still morning).
• We have had two meetings this week (if the week is ongoing).

Time Expressions:

• Use words like already, yet, just, ever, never, so far, for, since.
• I have already finished my homework.
• She hasn’t called yet.

Examples:

• I have lived in London for three years.
• They have just arrived.

2. The Past Simple Tense

Purpose:
The past simple is used for actions or events that happened at a specific time in the past.

Structure:

• Subject + Past Simple Verb

Common Uses:

1. Completed actions in the past:
• We visited the museum last Saturday.
• He broke his leg when he fell off the bike.
2. Sequential events in the past:
• After he arrived home, he unpacked and went to bed.
• The boss walked into the room, and we knew someone was in trouble.
3. Actions in finished time periods:
• I saw Julie last night.
• We had dinner at 8 pm yesterday.

Time Expressions:

• Use words like yesterday, last week, in 2005, ago, when.
• She went to Japan in 2018.
• I finished my report two hours ago.

Examples:

• They moved to New York last year.
• I met my best friend when I was ten.

Comparison Table: Present Perfect vs. Past Simple

Aspect

Present Perfect

Past Simple

Focus

Connection to the present

Completed action in the past

Time Frame

Unfinished time or unspecified time

Specific, finished time

Time Expressions

Ever, never, just, already, yet, since, for

Yesterday, last week, in 2010, ago

Examples

I have seen that movie.

I saw that movie last year.

Practice Exercises

Part 1: Choose the Correct Tense

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb (present perfect or past simple).

1. I __________ (see) three police cars this morning (it’s still morning).
2. After he __________ (arrive) home, he __________ (unpack) and __________ (go) to bed early.
3. My grandparents only __________ (know) each other for a few months before they __________ (get) married.
4. Lucy __________ (break) her leg, so she can’t come skiing.
5. I __________ (know) about the problem for months, but I __________ (not find) a solution yet.

Part 2: Identify the Correct Tense

Decide whether the following sentences use the present perfect or past simple:

1. She has lived in Paris for ten years.
2. He broke his arm when he was 12.
3. Have you ever visited the Eiffel Tower?
4. We saw that film last week.
5. I’ve just finished my homework.

Part 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Write two sentences using the present perfect and two sentences using the past simple about your own experiences.

Answers

Part 1: Choose the Correct Tense

1. I have seen three police cars this morning.
2. After he arrived home, he unpacked and went to bed early.
3. My grandparents only knew each other for a few months before they got married.
4. Lucy has broken her leg, so she can’t come skiing.
5. I have known about the problem for months, but I haven’t found a solution yet.

Part 2: Identify the Correct Tense

1. Present Perfect
2. Past Simple
3. Present Perfect
4. Past Simple
5. Present Perfect

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О Станиславе Кондрашове:

Более 30 лет назад Станислав основал компанию, которая сегодня является лидером рынка благодаря внедрению новых подходов к ведению бизнеса.

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