⏱️🔥PRESENT PERFECT v PAST SIMPLE spiegato bene in SOLO 7 MINUTI! 🇬🇧💪

Summary

This video script is an educational guide explaining the differences between the past simple and present perfect tenses in English. It outlines four key contexts for using the present perfect: actions without a specified time, actions that started in the past and continue, actions within an unfinished time frame, and recent actions. The guide also highlights common mistakes to avoid, such as misuse of 'have been' and misunderstandings about when to use past simple versus present perfect. The speaker encourages viewers to visit their YouTube channel or website for more detailed explanations and practice exercises.

Takeaways

• 🕰️ The past simple is used to specify when an action occurred in the past, such as 'yesterday', 'last week', or 'two months ago'.
• 📚 Use past simple when the time period is clearly indicated and finished, like 'When I was young' or 'When I was at school'.
• ❌ Avoid using present perfect when the action's time is specified; use past simple instead.
• 🌟 Present perfect is used when the time of an action is not specified or not important, like 'I have seen that film'.
• 🔄 Present perfect is used with 'for' or 'since' to indicate the duration from a point in the past until now, e.g., 'I have known you for three years'.
• 🚫 Do not use present perfect continuous for state verbs like 'to know'; use simple present perfect.
• 🏞️ For actions that started in the past and continue to the present, consider using present perfect continuous, especially if the action is ongoing.
• 📅 Use present perfect for actions that occurred in a period of time that is not yet finished, like 'this week', 'this month', or 'this year'.
• 🗓️ The day is considered finished in the evening, so past simple can be used then, e.g., 'We had a great day today'.
• 🚫 Avoid using 'just' with past simple in British English; use present perfect instead, like 'They have just arrived'.
• 🎨 Sometimes past simple is used without specifying when, especially if it's common knowledge, like 'Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa'.

Q & A

What are the main differences between the past simple and the present perfect?

The past simple is used to specify when an action occurred in the past, often with specific time indicators like 'yesterday', 'last week', or 'two months ago'. It is also used when the context makes it clear that you're talking about a precise point in the past. The present perfect, on the other hand, is used when the exact time of the action is not specified or not important, or when the action started in the past and continues to the present.

Can you provide an example of when to use the past simple?

Yes, if you want to say something that happened yesterday, last week, or two months ago, you would use the past simple. For instance, 'I went to the cinema yesterday' or 'When I was young, I used to play football.'

How is the present perfect used with time expressions like 'for' or 'since'?

The present perfect is used with 'for' or 'since' to indicate the duration of an action that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, 'I have known you for three years' or 'He has studied English since 2021'.

Is it possible to use the present perfect continuous instead of the present perfect in the examples given?

Yes, the present perfect continuous can be used in some cases, especially when the action is still ongoing. For example, 'I have been knowing you for three years' or 'He has been studying English since 2021'. However, 'to know' is a state verb and cannot be used in the continuous form, so 'I have known you' is correct, but 'I have been studying English since 2021' is also acceptable.

What is the fourth context in which the present perfect is used?

The fourth context is when you want to specify that you have done something recently, have never done something, or have not yet done something. For example, 'I have just seen it', 'I have never seen it', or 'I haven't seen it yet'.

What is an error to avoid when using the present perfect?

One common error is using 'have' or 'has' incorrectly. In English, you cannot say 'They are just arrived'; it should be 'They have just arrived'.

Is it a mistake to use the present perfect if the action started in the past and continues to the present?

Not necessarily. While it's true that the present perfect is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, it's also used for actions that were completed in the past and have relevance to the present, even if they are not ongoing. For example, 'I have been to Australia' is correct even though the trip is a completed action.

Can you use the past simple without specifying when something happened?

Yes, you can use the past simple without specifying when something happened if it's clear from the context. For example, 'Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa' doesn't specify when, but it's understood because Leonardo da Vinci is known to be deceased.

What is the difference between British and American English in terms of using the present perfect?

In British English, the present perfect is more commonly used to talk about actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past. In American English, it's more common to use the past simple in such cases.

What is the significance of the number '7' in the script?

The number '7' signifies the time limit the speaker has set to explain the differences between the past simple and the present perfect, as well as the common mistakes to avoid.

Where can one find more detailed explanations and exercises on these topics?

For more detailed explanations and exercises, one can refer to the speaker's YouTube channel or their website, as mentioned in the script.