English Grammar

Present Perfect
Simple Past vs. Present Perfect Simple
Form

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular
verbs verbs
Example: Example:

I spoke I / you / we / they have spoken

he / she / it has spoken

regular verbs: infinitive + ed regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed

Example: Example:

I worked I / you / we / they have worked

he / she / it has worked

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding 'ed':

when the final letter is e, only add d

Example:
love - loved
after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled
Example:
admit - admitted
final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)
Example:
travel - travelled
after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)
Example:
worry - worried
but: play - played

See also explanations on Simple Past and Present Perfect Simple

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 just / already / not yet

Example: Example:

I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago. 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 whether / how often till now

Example: Example:
He went to Canada last summer. 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 Emphasis on result

Example: Example:

I bought a new bike. (just telling I have bought a new bike. (With this sentence I actually
what I did in the past.) want to express that I have a new bike now.)

Signal Words

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

yesterday just
... ago already
in 1990 up to now
the other day until now / till now
last ... ever
(not) yet
so far
lately / recently

Exercises on Simple Past and Present Perfect Simple

Certain time in the past or just / already / yet: Exercise 1, Exercise 2
Certain event in the past or how often so far: : Exercise 3, Exercise 4
Emphasis on action or result: Exercise 5, Exercise 6
 Mix: Exercise 7, Exercise 08
Exercise on the text Grand Canyon
Exercise on the text Edinburgh

Tests on Simple Past and Present Perfect Simple

Test 1
Test 2
Test 3

FROM: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpas-preper

Exercises:
Change the verb into the correct form:
1. I have read (read) your book several times.
2. She has worn (wear) that skirt many times.
3. My family has visited (visit) Brazil a few times.
4. I have eaten (eat) already.
5. Marta has finished (finish) her homework.
6. You have broken (break) the glass again.
7. They have paid (pay) for everything.
8. It has never snowed (never snow) like that.
9. I have met (meet) Anna once.
10. We have seen (see) him before.
11. You have bought (buy) 4 cars so far.
12. There have been (be) problems.
13. I have had (have) a snake.
14. Maria has raised (raise) a monkey.
15. The kids have grown (grow) so much!

16. I havent been to Greece not once.

1. It STOPPED (stop) raining for a while, but now it's raining again.
2. The town is very different now. It HAS CHANGED (change) a lot.
3. I learnt German at school, but I HAVE FORGOTTEN (forget) most of it now.
4. The police ARRESTED (arrest) three people, but later they let them go.
5. What do you think of my English? Do you think it HAS IMPROVED (improve)?
6. Are you still reading the paper? No, I HAVE FINISHED (finish) with it.
7. I APPLIED (apply) for a job as a tourist guide, but I wasn't successful.
8. Where's my bike? It WAS (be) outside the house, but it's not here now.
9. Look! There's an ambulance over there. There HAS BEEN (be) an accident.
10. He FELL (fall) off a ladder yesterday.
11. I can't get in. I HAVE LOST (lose) my keys.