Past simple vs. present perfect

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Present Perfect - Past Simple

       Present perfect             Past simple

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you should be able to explain when to use present perfect versus past simple

Think: 

Check page 209 & 211.

Write down the difference between the two in your own words

Pair: 

Compare your answers

Share:

Send your answer

Introduce the learning objective and emphasize that it is crucial to master the difference between the two tenses since they are both commonly used in everyday conversations.

What do you already know about the difference between present perfect and past simple?

What is Past Simple?

Past Simple is een tijd die gebruikt wordt voor dingen die in het verleden zijn gebeurd.

I taught Spanish when I lived in England

today

--------------------------X--------------------------

yesterday                   tomorrow

Explain what Past Simple is and give examples such as 'I lived in London for 5 years' and 'She ate breakfast at 7am.'

What is Present Perfect?

Present Perfect is een vorm wat gebruikt wordt voor dingen die in het verleden gebeurd zijn en link hebben met het heden.

John has been a receptionist at our hospital since 2016.

today

--------------------------X--------------------------

past                                   future

Explain what Present Perfect is and give examples such as 'I have lived in London for 5 years' and 'She has eaten breakfast already.'

What is Present Perfect?

Present Perfect is een vorm wat gebruikt wordt voor dingen die in het verleden gebeurd zijn en link hebben met het heden.

I have always wanted to go to Australia

today

--------------------------X--------------------------

past                                   future

Explain what Present Perfect is and give examples such as 'I have lived in London for 5 years' and 'She has eaten breakfast already.'

What is Present Perfect?

Present Perfect is een vorm wat gebruikt wordt voor dingen die in het verleden gebeurd zijn en link hebben met het heden.

Carol hasn’t slept all night, so she is feeling very tired today.

today

--------------------------X--------------------------

past                                   future

Explain what Present Perfect is and give examples such as 'I have lived in London for 5 years' and 'She has eaten breakfast already.'

Present Perfect

Today I have walked 5 km


today
-------------X------------
past                   future

Past Simple

Yesterday I walked 7 km

today

-------------X------------

past                   future

Explain what Past Simple is and give examples such as 'I lived in London for 5 years' and 'She ate breakfast at 7am.'

Signal Words for Present Perfect

Signal words for Present Perfect include 

'for', 'yet', 'ever', 'never', 'just',  'already', and 'since'.

Explain that signal words are a good indicator to help identify when to use Present Perfect.

Signal Words for Past Simple

Signal words for Past Simple include 

'yesterday', 'last ...', '... ago', and 'in ...' .

Explain that signal words are a good indicator to help identify when to use Past Simple.

Present Perfect - Past Simple

       Present perfect             Past simple

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
She _____ (to play) the piano since she was 4.

1. played
2. have played
3. has played

Past simple / present perfect
When I was a child I ...............(read) a lot of comics.

1. read
2. readed
3. have read
4. have readed

Past simple / present perfect
I ............. ( break) my leg, now I can't walk anymore.

1. breaked
2. broke
3. have breaked
4. have broken

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
How long ____ (she + live) here?

1. did she live
2. did she lived
3. have she lived
4. has she lived

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
How long ____ (she + live) in the UK?

1. did she live
2. did she lived
3. have she lived
4. has she lived

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I _________ that before.

1. did never
2. never did
3. didn't never do
4. have never done

past simple-present perfect
We ... (not) yet, so we are hungry.

1. didn't eat
2. didn't eaten
3. haven't ate
4. haven't eaten

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I _______ (always + like) playing board games.

1. always like
2. always liked
3. have always liked
4. has always liked

past simple-present perfect
No thank you, no more food for me. I ... lunch.

1. did already have
2. did already had
3. have already had
4. had already had

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I don't think we _____ (to meet).

1. meeted
2. have meeted
3. met
4. have met

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I _____ (to work) at a book store last year.

1. worked
2. have worked
3. has worked

Past Simple <> Present Perfect

______ (you + see) Janet recently?

1. Did you see
2. Did you saw
3. Have you seen
4. Have you saw

Past simple / Present perfect

I (walk) to school yesterday

1. have walked
2. walked
3. walk
4. am walking

Past Simple <> Present Perfect

______ (you + see) Janet last night?

1. Did you see
2. Did you saw
3. Have you seen
4. Have you saw

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
I ______ (to see) her last month.

Past simple/ present perfect
John .... (leave) for work ten minutes ago.

Past Simple / Present Perfect
I ......... (know) Julie for three years.

Past Simple/ Present Perfect
Some policemen ......... (catch) the criminals two days ago.

Past Simple / Present Perfect:
A week ago I ____ (to fall) off my bike.

Past Simple / Present Perfect
The internet ___ (not exist) in 1980.

Past Simple / Present perfect:
I'm sorry, but I ____ (forget) my homework.

Past Simple <> Present Perfect
How long ____ (he + live) here?

Past Simple / Present Perfect
David ___ (send) me an email five minutes ago.

I understand this!

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you should be able to explain when to use present perfect versus past simple

Think: 

Write down the difference between the present perfect and the past simple in your own words

Pair: 

Compare your answers. 

When do you use both tenses?

Introduce the learning objective and emphasize that it is crucial to master the difference between the two tenses since they are both commonly used in everyday conversations.