The Present Perfect and Past Simple

PAST SIMPLE?
   COMPLETED ACTION
        ARE IN THE PAST
                                                            PRESENT PERFECT?
  WHEN DOES NOT MATTER
life experience, that is time is not finished


Marilyn Monroe was married three times.
  • ( She is dead)

My friend has been married three times.
  •  ( her/she life is not finished)





This is my house.

How long have you lived here?
(when doesn't matter)

I have lived here since 1970.
(since, experience of life)

He's (has) lived in London for two years and then went to Edinburgh.
(then = past simple) (for= during= present perfect)


Did you wear your hair long when you were at school?
(DID= past simple = when = at school)

Yes, my mother insisted on it.
(Must do = push  your make)

But when I left school I cut my hair and I have worn it short ever since.

Shakespeare wrote a lot of plays.
(He's died)

My brother has written several plays. He just has finished tragedy.

I Flew over Loch Wess last week.
Did you see the monster?

I haven't seen him for five years. I wonder where he is.

He' hasn't smoked for two years. He's trying to give it up.

Chopis composed some of his music in Mallorca.

When he did arrive?
He's arrived at 2am.

What are you going to do next summer?
I don't know. I have not decided yet.

Do you know where Sally is?
I saw her in the library about five minutes ago.
(Ago= past simple, always, no except)
Have you ever eaten snails?
Yes, I ate  them a  lot when I lived in France.
(Past simple, when exist, and this info is important)

You look a bit nervous. What's wrong?
I'm flying to London this afternoon and I've flown before.

Maria's English is excellent.
Yes, she has been to Britain several times and in 1990 she spent ten weeks in the USA.
(Present Perfect because is experience life and Past Simple because is a specific date//period)

It was my parents wedding anniversary last Saturday.
How long have they been  married?

What did you think of the film last night?
I enjoyed it a lot.

I have known Nicole for ages.
Where did you met her?

Did you speak to Ben yesterday?
No, I phoned three times but he has not in.

Have you seen  that play? (theatrical plays)
Yes, I have
Yes, I was there last night.

Have you wound the clock? (wind)
Yes, I wound it on Monday.

Have you ever eaten snails?
Yes, I ate some at Tom's party  last week.

Has she fed the dog? (feed)
Yes, she fed him before lunch .

Have they repaired the road?
Well, they only have repaired part of it so far (until now).

Have they done their homework?
Not,  they have not done it all.
Yes, they did it before they left school.




Have you found  the matches?
Not, I haven't found it, yet.

Have you made coffee?
I made some yesterday. You can use that.
(aaaa it is disgusting, lol)

Have you been there before?
Yes, I have been there several time. (a few days)


Have you seen him lately (recently)?
No, I have not seen him since Christmas.

Have you been to the opera  this weekend?
Yes, I went to Faust on Friday.

Has he missed him train?
Yes, he went it five minutes ago.


Have they been through Customs?
Yes, their luggage was examined at Dublin Airport.

Has she spoken to her?
Yes she spoken to her on Friday.

Have you spent all your money?
No, only I have spent half of it.
Yes, I haven't saved anything.

How much have you saved since Christmas?

Has his temperature gone down?
Yes, it was gone down last night.

Have you seen his garden?
No, haven`t seen it yet.
I saw the house on Monday.

Have you paid the bill?
Yes, I paid it while yo were away.

Have you ever flown a plane?
Yes, I flew when I was at university.

Has your dog ever bitten (bit) anyone?
Yes, he has bitten me twice.
Yes, he bitten a policeman last week.

Have you planted your peas?
Yes, I planted them on Tuesday.
No, I have not planted them yet.


Have you ever listened Ravel's bolero?
Have you ever been a sauna?
Have you ever read Asterix in Britain?
Have you ever played Evita?
Have you ever  been to London?
Have you ever eaten Indian food?
Have  you ever been skining?
have you ever done dive scuba?
Have you ever been roller coaster?


Where did  he go?
I did see where  he went.

Do you know that lady who has just leaf the shop?
Yes, that is Miss Downes. Is she costumer of yours?
Not exactly, She has been here several times but she has never bought anything.

I have lost my black gloves. You have seen anywhere?
No, I am afraid, I have not.
I worn them at the theatre last night.

Where did you find  this knife?
I found it in the garden.
Why did you leave it there?

I bought this in Grafton Street.
How much did you pay for it?
I paid 1 euro.

Where is Tom?
I have not seen him today, but he has told Mary that he had been in for dinner.

You have been here before?
Yes, I spent mu holidays here last year.
Did you have a good time?
No, it never stopped raining.

Mr. Diaz worked as a  cashier for twenty five years. Then retired and went to live in t he country.

He broke his leg in skiing accident last year.

We missed the bus. Now we will have to walk.

The actors arrived yesterday and started rehearsals (essay) early this morning.

It has been clod this year. I wonder when it is going to get warmer.

I met him last night.

The concert  begun at 2pm and lasted for two hours. Everyone enjoyed it  very much.

He went go out ten minutes ago.

Did you lock the door before you left the house?




Have you ever driven this car?

Yes, I have driven it once or twice.
Yes, I drove it when you were away



That's a nice watch you are wearing. Is it new?
No! I have had it for years. I got it for my birthday when I was 18.
(I have had is past perfect, It is a way to talk about the past from a past perspective)


___________________________________________________________
2. (past perfect)              1. (past simple)                      NOW


EX: 

Jonh arrived home at 7pm.
He was hungry but I had already eaten dinner.
This morning he had gone shopping.
When  he realised I had eaten all the food.


1.  PAST SIMPLE

   John arrived home
    He was hungry
    He realised

2. PAST PERFECT

He had gone shopping
I had eaten








HAVE YOU HAD A GOOD  TIME?
                                                       Did you have a good time?