38.1 – Past simple or present perfect?
| Past simple | Present perfect |
| The past simple is used to describe actions in a completed time period:
I lived in Ireland many years ago. (completed: now I live in another place)
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The present perfect is used when the time period includes the present:
I’ve lived in Brugg since 2013. (a situation that started in the past and continues in the present: I still live there) I’ve been to London several times. (life experience) My project leader has agreed to your new idea. (present result of a past action)
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| Time phrases used with the past simple refer to a particular point in the past: yesterday, last month, last year, two weeks ago etc.
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Time phrases used with the present perfect link the past to the present:
since, never, ever, this month etc.
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The choice of tense often depends on the individual, the situation and what we are focusing on.
Great news! Everyone has passed their exam. (recent news: the event is present in my mind)
So, we passed the module, and then ……..(telling a story: the event feels distant in my mind)
Past simple/present perfect exercises:
Task A
Underline the correct words.
1 Yesterday I phoned / I’ve phoned the company about our idea.
2 I work / I have worked here since the end of last month.
3 I work / I have worked from home one day a month.
4 I’m enjoying the conference as I made / I have made a lot of useful contacts.
5 I saw / I’ve seen Dr Höchli a few days ago – he asked about you.
6 We went / We have been to an interesting lecture last week.
7 Today has been/was really busy- and it is only lunchtime.
8 Today has been/was really busy. It’s 9 pm -I’m going.
9 I’m sorry but Peter Ieft / has left the office two hours ago.
10 Peter? No. he isn’t here right now. He left/has left the office.
Task B
Put the verbs in brackets into either the present simple, past simple or present perfect
- The college is doing very well. Last year registrations went up (go up) 5%, and so far this year they have gone up (go up) another 5%.
- We ___________________ (offer) undergraduate courses all over Northwestern Switzerland. Recently we ___________________ (set up) new courses in Olten and Brugg.
2 ___________________ __(you / see) my bicycle? I’m sure I ___________________ (leave) it here earlier
- This ___________________ (not look) like the right book. Are you sure we ___________________ (note) the right ISBN?
4 I ___________________ (never/speak) to him, but I ___________________ (speak) to his boss on the phone yesterday.
5 I ___________________ (study) IT since last year, but now I ___________________ (want) to change to BIT