Present Perfect Tense vs Simple Past Tense (English Tenses)

Summary

In this video, Leonie Arena Madera explains the differences between present perfect and simple past tenses. The present perfect tense is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or for actions with a consequence in the present. Simple past tense describes actions completed in the past with no effect on the present. Examples highlight how each tense is used with time expressions, and how their meanings differ when referring to ongoing vs. finished actions. The video also covers the structure and negation of each tense.

Takeaways

• 😀 Present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
• 😀 Example of present perfect: 'I have known Julie for 10 years.' This indicates a relationship that started in the past and continues to the present.
• 😀 Simple past tense is used to describe actions that have already been completed in the past.
• 😀 Example of simple past: 'I knew Julie for 10 years.' This suggests that the relationship ended in the past.
• 😀 Present perfect tense can describe a finished action in someone's life with the possibility of repetition in the future.
• 😀 Example of present perfect for future possibilities: 'My brother has been to Mexico three times,' implying he can go again.
• 😀 Simple past tense is used when describing actions in someone's life that cannot be repeated, especially if the person is deceased.
• 😀 Example of simple past with deceased person: 'My grandmother went to Mexico three times before she passed away.' This action is final.
• 😀 Present perfect tense can be used for past actions with consequences in the present, such as 'I have lost my keys.' The effect is still felt now.
• 😀 Simple past tense is used for actions with no consequence in the present, like 'I lost my keys yesterday,' but there's no ongoing impact.
• 😀 Signal words for present perfect include 'this week,' 'this month,' 'today,' 'already,' 'yet,' 'since,' and 'just.'
• 😀 Signal words for simple past include 'last week,' 'yesterday,' 'in 2008,' 'last month,' and specific time references like 'two days ago.'

Q & A

What is the main difference between present perfect tense and simple past tense?

Present perfect tense is used to show unfinished actions that started in the past and continued to the present, while simple past tense is used to show finished actions that happened at a specific time in the past.

Can you provide an example of present perfect tense?

An example of present perfect tense is: 'I have known Julie for 10 years.' This means you started knowing Julie 10 years ago, and you still know her now.

How does simple past tense work when describing a finished action?

Simple past tense describes an action that happened in the past and is now finished. For example: 'I knew Julie for 10 years' means the relationship ended in the past, and there's no current connection.

What does present perfect tense imply about someone's life and opportunities?

Present perfect tense is used to talk about a finished action in someone's life, implying that the person is still alive and can potentially repeat the action in the future.

Can you give an example where present perfect tense implies the person is still alive?

For example, 'My brother has been to Mexico three times.' He is still alive, so he may go to Mexico again in the future.

What is the implication of using simple past tense for a finished action in someone's life?

Simple past tense is used for finished actions when the person is no longer alive, indicating that the action cannot be repeated in the present or future.

Give an example where simple past tense refers to a deceased person.

For example, 'My great-grandmother went to Mexico three times.' She has passed away, so she cannot go to Mexico again.

What is the difference between present perfect tense and simple past tense when referring to consequences in the present?

Present perfect tense is used for actions with a consequence that still affects the present, such as 'I have lost my keys.' Simple past tense, on the other hand, refers to actions with no present consequence, such as 'I lost my keys yesterday.'

What are some common time expressions used with present perfect tense?

Common time expressions for present perfect tense include 'this week,' 'this month,' 'today,' 'already,' 'yet,' 'recently,' 'before,' 'since,' and 'many times.'

What are the time expressions typically used with simple past tense?

Simple past tense is commonly used with time expressions like 'last week,' 'yesterday,' 'in 2008,' 'last month,' 'a week ago,' 'at 10 a.m.,' 'two days ago,' and 'last year.'