Present perfect and past simple

Present Perfect (have done)

Past Simple (did)

I’ve done a lot of work today. We use the Present Perfect for a period of time that continues from the past until now. For example, today, this week, since 1985. It hasn’t rained this week. Have you seen Ann this morning? (it is still morning) Ian lives in London. He has lived there for seven years. I have never played golf. (in my life) The Present Perfect always has a connection with now.

I did a lot of work yesterday. We use the Past Simple for a finished time in the past. For example, yesterday, last week, from 1985 to 1991. It didn’t rain last week. Did you see Ann this morning? (it is now afternoon or evening) Did you see Ann on Sunday? Ian lived in Scotland for ten years. Now he lives in London. I didn’t play golf when I was on holiday last summer. The Past Simple tells us only about the past.

Essential Grammar In Use. Raymond Murphy

Exercise 1. Use the words in brackets (…) to answer the question.

Have you seen Ann? (5 minutes ago) Yes, I saw her 5 minutes ago.

Have you started your new job? Have you friends arrived? Has Sarah gone away Have you worn your new shoes?

(last week) Yes, I ……………….. last week (at 5 o’clock) Yes, they …………………… (on Friday) Yes, …………………………… (yesterday) Yes, ……………………………

Exercise 2. Are the underlined parts of these sentences right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.

The Chinese have invented printing. WRONG: The Chinese invented.

- Do you know about Sue? She’s given up her job. ……………………….

- How many plays has Shakespeare written? ……………………..……….

- Have you read any of Shakespeare’s plays? ……………………………..

- Aristotle has been a Greek philosopher. …………………………………

- Ow! I’ve cut my finger. It’s bleeding. ……………………………………

- My grandparents have got married in London. …………………………..

- Where have you been born? ………………………………………………

- Mary isn’t at home. She’s gone shopping. ………………………………..

- Albert Einstein has been the scientist who has developed the theory of relativity. ………………………………………………………………….

Exercise 3. Put the verb into the most suitable form, Present Perfect or Past Simple.

- “Look! Somebody ………………. (spill) coffee on the carpet.” “Well, it ………….….. (not/be) me. I ……………. (not/do) it.”

- “Ben ……………………….. (break) his leg.” “Really? How …………….. (that/happen)?” “He ………………… (fall) off a ladder.”

- “Your hair looks nice. ………………………. (you/have) a haircut?” “Yes.” “Who ……………….. (cut) it? ……………….. (you/go) to the hairdresser?” “No, a friend of mine …………………… (do) it for me.”

Exercise 4. Are the underlined parts of these sentences right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.