Mastering the Past Simple and Present Perfect Tenses

Mastering the Past Simple and Present Perfect Tenses

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to explain and use the difference between the past simple and present perfect tenses.

This slide should be displayed at the beginning of the lesson to set the learning objective for the students.

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

Past Simple Tense

The past simple tense is used to describe completed actions or events that happened at a specific time in the past. It is formed by adding '-ed' to the base form of regular verbs, while irregular verbs have their own unique past simple form.

Use this slide to introduce the past simple tense and its usage.

Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is used to describe actions or events that happened at an unspecified time in the past, or that started in the past and continue in the present. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb 'have' or 'has' with the past participle of the main verb.

Use this slide to introduce the present perfect tense and its usage.

Signal Words for Past Simple

Signal words for the past simple tense include yesterday, last night, last week, ago, etc.

Use this slide to teach students the signal words that are commonly used with the past simple tense.

Signal Words for Present Perfect

Signal words for the present perfect tense include already, yet, just, ever, never, etc.

Use this slide to teach students the signal words that are commonly used with the present perfect tense.

Examples of Past Simple and Present Perfect

Past Simple: I saw a movie last night. Present Perfect: I have already seen that movie.

Use this slide to provide examples of how the past simple and present perfect tenses are used in context.

Practice Exercise

Choose the correct tense: Yesterday, I (eat/ate) pizza for lunch. Answer: Ate

Use this slide to provide a practice exercise for students to differentiate between the past simple and present perfect tenses.

Final Practice Exercise

Choose the correct tense: I (read/have read) that book twice. Answer: Have read

Use this slide to provide a final practice exercise for students to test their knowledge of the past simple and present perfect tenses.