Past Simple or Present Perfect (2); ago, for, since

B1-B1+
Grammar
Verbs and tenses

Compare the Past Simple and the Present Perfect:

Past Simple
Look at this example of the Past Simple: There were* many natural disasters last century.*

Note that *last century* is a period of past time. It ended before now.

Present Perfect
Look at this example of the Present Perfect: There have been* many natural disasters this century.*

Note that *this century* is a period of time that includes now (the moment of speaking).

Past Simple
We use the Past Simple to talk about events or situations in a period of past time: A: How long did* you work in your last job?* B: I worked* there for seven years.* *Did* you go to the theatre last week? Sheila didn’t go* to the gym yesterday.* We use the Past Simple for events in the lifetime of someone who is now dead: A: *Did* your grandmother ever watch* you play cricket at school?* B: Yes, she saw* me play several times.*

Present Perfect
We use the Present Perfect for events or situations in a period of time that includes now: A: How long have* you worked here?* B: I’ve worked here since last spring. (= I still work here) *Have* you been* to the theatre this week?* Sheila hasn’t gone* to the gym today.* We use the Present Perfect for events in the lifetime of a living person: *Has* your sister ever visited* you in Poland.* Yes, she’s visited me a few times.

Notice how a sentence with the Past Simple and one with the Present Perfect can give similar information from different points of view. Notice the use of ago, for, and since:

Past Simple
Darryl went* to live in Warsaw 5 years ago.*

Present Perfect
Darryl has lived* in Warsaw for 5 years.* Darryl has lived* in Warsaw since his graduation.* (or … *since he graduated*.)

PRACTICE

Now it is time to practise what you have learned.

For each Practice Test, read the instructions carefully.
Complete the exercise and press 'Check' to get your results.

Practice Test A

Practice Test B

Practice Test C

Practice Test D

Nigel Bailey

Nigel is a qualified Teacher of English as a Foreign Language and has been teaching in Poland since 2003. He has been teaching over the Internet since 2008 and has taught more than 1,000 students in this way.

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