Simple Past
Susan was in high school last year.
I worked for that company for 10 years.
The manager gave a speech at the meeting.
George didn’t travel last summer.
Did my dad call last night?
Present Perfect
James has been a teacher since 2012.
I´ve lived here for 24 years.
We’ve spoken once today
Brian hasn’t traveled anywhere this year.
Has Joan called us today?
- Remember that we use the present perfect to talk about events that started in the past, continue up to the present, and may continue into the future.
- The simple past is used to talk about something that happened and finished in the past and has no connection to the present.
- We also use the present perfect to talk about events that happened at an indefinite time in the past.
- We use the simple past to talk about something that happened at a specific time in the past. Time is mentioned so we know when the event took place.
- We use the present perfect to talk about events that occurred in a time period that has not finished, such as today, this morning, this month, this year, etc.
Your dad has called you three times today. (Your dad may call you back again today)
- We use the simple past with events that happened in a period of time that is finished, such as yesterday, last week, last month, in December, etc.
Your dad called you three times yesterday.
- Be careful! expressions such as this morning, this month, or this year can refer to finished or unfinished periods of time. Use simple past if you refer to finished events, and present perfect if you refer to unfinished events.
My dad has already had three cups of coffee this morning. (the morning hasn't finished yet)
My dad had three cups of coffee this morning. (it's already 3 pm.)
