Simple Past tense and Present Perfect Tense
What’s the
difference?
You are getting to know a lot about how a language
works! Let’s continue with some work on
different uses of these two verb tenses.
Have a look at this timeline to see where we would place these two
tenses:
Starter: Write down which sentence you think is
correct in the following examples (The first sentence uses simple past tense,
the second uses present perfect tense.):
Wait for me! I didn’t put my coat on yet.
Wait for me! I haven’t put my coat on yet.
(simple past)
I
ate dinner
(present perfect) I have eaten dinner.
Now
try some of your own, deciding which verb tense you need. (If you were at
school last week you’ve already made a start with a few of these.)
For those sentences that ask you to circle the present perfect tense, please write them on your page instead.
Take note with Part 2 below that you have been asked to use the present perfect form of the verb, so remember to use the auxiliary verb have? Don't use simple past with these!
