The Present Perfect or The Past Simple USING THE CORRECT TENSE

Past Simple vs Present Perfect  What are the differences between these tenses? 

The Past Simple Tense  We use the Past Simple Tense when we talk about an event that took place and finished in the past.  e.g. I went to Bangkok last week. I finished my homework at 8pm last night. I had fried eggs for breakfast. Now

The Past Simple Tense Subject + V2 ……. (time) e.g.  He played football yesterday.  I visited my grandparents last week.

The Present Perfect Tense  An ongoing action or state.  I have studied English for 5 years  For a recently completed activity.  Teacher, I’ve finished.  When the time of the action is not known or not specified  Have you ever eaten sushi?  I have lived in Spain.

Present Perfect Timelines  Ongoing  Recently completed  Unknown - unspecified

The Present Perfect Tense Subject + have/has +V3 ……. e.g.  He has visited his grandparents.

Important Vocabulary PRESENT PERFECT  Ever  Never  Yet  Already  Just  For  Since PAST SIMPLE Ago Last week Last month Last year In January … In

Present Perfect or Past Simple ???  I ………(break) my leg.  I ………(break) my leg last year.  I ………(have) breakfast at 6am this morning.  I ………(just have) my breakfast  I ………(live) in Hong Kong when I was 7.  I ………(live) in Hong Kong since I was 7.

Complete using the correct tense (P.P. or P.S.)  Sara ______ (drive) a car for nearly six years. She _____ (take) her driving test in 1999, but unfortunately she _____ (not pass) first time.  Sara’s brother _____ (study) economics for five years, and a few weeks ago he _____(start) working in an international bank