Describing the past

The Present Perfect Tense The present perfect is used when: 1. A situation that started in the past and continues in the present for and since. Dana has lived here for 20 years. Dana has lived here since The time period has not finished: I have read three reviews this week. (This week has not finished yet.) 3. An action completed in the very recent past: Ron has just arrived in Berkeley. 4. The time is not mentioned, it’s not important: Gal has failed his final exam again.

Present Perfect vs.Simple Past 1. Present perfect: With for and since, when the actions have not finished yet: I have lived in San Diego for four years. (I still live in San Diego.) Simple past With for and since, when the actions have already finished: I lived in San Diego for four years. (I don't live in San Diego now.)

The Present Perfect vs. simple past 2.Present perfect: The time period has not finished: I have read three reviews this week. (This week has not finished yet.) Simple past: The time period HAS finished: I read three reviews last week. (Last week has finished.)

The Present Perfect vs. simple past 3. Present perfect: Giving recent news: Martin has crashed his car again. (This is new information.) Simple past: Giving older information: Martin crashed his car last year. (This is old information.)

The Present Perfect vs. simple past 4. Present perfect: The time is not mentioned/non specific: Gal has failed his final exam again. I have already heard that lecture. (We don't know when.) Simple past: The time is clear: Gal failed the final exam we did on Monday. I heard that lecture on Thursday. (We know exactly when.)

I ___________ an interesting class last night. (have) _____________ that new dress Susan bought last week? (you/see) Sergio _________________ that new house on the beach. (not/buy) Edward _____________ his keys again. (lose) The police __________ me on my way home last night. (stop) HAD DID YOU SEE HASN’T BOUGHT HAS LOST STOPPED

I _____________ to the movies three times last week. But I ____________ any of the films. (go) (not/like) I _______________ to Louis for a long time. (talk/not) ______________________ ? (you/just/arrive) “Is Mr. Nakajima in?” “No, he __________________ home. (already/go) When I was 18, I _______________ how to drive. (learn) WENT DIDN’T LIKE HAVEN’T TALKED HAVE YOU JUST ARRIVED HAS ALREADY GONE LEARNED

_______________ to Japan? (he/be) Harold ______________ to Spain on his last vacation. (travel) Can you believe Hugo _______________ the sea? (never/see) Claudio _______________ to California last year because he ______________ to stay home. (not/travel) (prefer) Bianca ____________ to memorize the alphabet, but it’s too difficult for her. (try) HAS HE BEEN TRAVELED HAS NEVER SEEN DIDN’T TRAVEL PREFERRED HAS TRIED

Bea ______________ us some chocolate for Easter last class. (buy) Poli _________________ over 20 hours for her Midterm exam last week. (study) “________________ skydiving in his life?” Yeah, he and Bernardo ___________ skydiving together. (Hugo/go) (go) BOUGHT STUDIED HAS HUGO GONE HAVE GONE