Difference past simple and present perfect in English
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This chapter will discuss the difference between the past simple tense and present perfect tense. This chapter will explain the difference and show example sentences.
The past simple and present perfect tenses both talk about an action in the past, but the tenses are used for different moments in the past.
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Tense | Example | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Past simple tense | I lived in Amsterdam for 2 years. | I started living in Amsterdam 2 years ago. I finished living in Amsterdam after 2 years. I do not live in Amsterdam now. |
Present perfect tense | I have lived in Amsterdam for 2 years. | I started living in Amsterdam 2 years ago, and I am still living there now. |
Take a look at the timeline below to see the difference between past simple and present perfect.
Train your skills by doing the exercise below.
Fill in the English present perfect tense.
Remember:
Example:
She to the city centre. (to walk)
They to the artist. (to listen)
We to the concert. (to be)
The author a sign session. (to give)
I in Greece for two years. (to live)
Lilly in the United States. (to study)
Sharon and Julian many letters. (to receive)
The boss not the schedule yet. (to give)
You your finger. (to hit)
The man the bank. (to rob)
Fill in the correct form of the past simple.
Example:
I Spanish with him. (to speak)
The singer my favourite song. (to sing)
Yesterday he me he could not come tonight. (to write)
It a lot yesterday. (to rain)
He sick last night. (to be)
The man to the bus station. (to run)
They me a sandwich. (to bring)
The girl her old school books. (to sell)
The children quietly waiting for the teacher. (to sit)
You a long time for him last week. (to wait)
Fill in the correct tense of the verbs between brackets. Choose past simple or present perfect.
Remember:
Last year she to Spain on holiday. (to go)
you ever oysters? (to eat)
She never outside without brushing her teeth. (to go)
Her mother her daughter's hair this morning. (to brush)
We not in another country yet. (to live)
Last week they not at school. (to be)
Andrew his friends to the party a month ago. (to invite)
Her parents in 2011. (to marry)
I already the book twice. (to read)
You from Amsterdam to Rotterdam this month. (to cycle)
Fill in the correct tense of the verbs between brackets. Choose past simple or present perfect.
Remember:
She in the club last night. (to dance)
They already at the answers. (to look)
she ever the question? (to repeat)
You in Rotterdam last week. (to be)
They the train to Paris last month. (to take)
We a lot in their travel diary last year. (to write)
Sandra into my office for a meeting yesterday. (to come)
He that he made a mistake. (to admit)
The artist a new design for the shirts. (to make)
you your Grandma yet? (to phone)
Fill in the English present perfect tense.
Remember:
Example:
She to the city centre. (to walk)
They to the artist. (to listen)
We to the concert. (to be)
The author a sign session. (to give)
I in Greece for two years. (to live)
Lilly in the United States. (to study)
Sharon and Julian many letters. (to receive)
The boss not the schedule yet. (to give)
You your finger. (to hit)
The man the bank. (to rob)
Fill in the correct form of the past simple.
Example:
I Spanish with him. (to speak)
The singer my favourite song. (to sing)
Yesterday he me he could not come tonight. (to write)
It a lot yesterday. (to rain)
He sick last night. (to be)
The man to the bus station. (to run)
They me a sandwich. (to bring)
The girl her old school books. (to sell)
The children quietly waiting for the teacher. (to sit)
You a long time for him last week. (to wait)
Fill in the correct tense of the verbs between brackets. Choose past simple or present perfect.
Remember:
Last year she to Spain on holiday. (to go)
you ever oysters? (to eat)
She never outside without brushing her teeth. (to go)
Her mother her daughter's hair this morning. (to brush)
We not in another country yet. (to live)
Last week they not at school. (to be)
Andrew his friends to the party a month ago. (to invite)
Her parents in 2011. (to marry)
I already the book twice. (to read)
You from Amsterdam to Rotterdam this month. (to cycle)
Fill in the correct tense of the verbs between brackets. Choose past simple or present perfect.
Remember:
She in the club last night. (to dance)
They already at the answers. (to look)
she ever the question? (to repeat)
You in Rotterdam last week. (to be)
They the train to Paris last month. (to take)
We a lot in their travel diary last year. (to write)
Sandra into my office for a meeting yesterday. (to come)
He that he made a mistake. (to admit)
The artist a new design for the shirts. (to make)
you your Grandma yet? (to phone)
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I had about 12 hours of lessons with Letizia for the B2 English language certification for my university, and I passed all the tests with more than sufficient grades! I recommend Letizia for her patience and kindness in explaining every concept and repeating as many times as necessary what is most difficult to learn. Punctual and precise also in correcting homework and in the constant evaluation of progress between one lesson and another. Thank you!
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**** Please contact me before booking a lesson, thanks! :-)*** Hello everyone, I'm Federica and I'm an italian and english teacher. Before being a teacher I've been a student infact I graduated in languages so I know very well how hard can be learning a new language. I'm interested in music, cinema, literature and I enjoy talking about several topics. I've been teaching since 2009 and in 2012 I've qualified as italian language teacher. I've experience with children and adults, with in company courses, with total beginners as well as with advanced. Also I've succesfully prepared a number of students for the most important english and italian certification (CELI, CILS, FIRST, PET, KET). Over the last years I've became specialized in one-to-one or small groups lessons because in this way I can create a tailored programme for each student. I follow a communicative approach and in my classes there's lot of room for speaking but I don't neglect grammar, listening and writing. I provide you with material, sometimes selfmade, other times taken from books, videos, or songs, but always useful to help you to immerse in the target language! At the end of every lesson I always assign homework in order to revise the things learnt. I define myself as a happy, positive and very patient person and I do my best to make the class a funny and relaxed moment. I look forward to meet you online!
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After a year of classes with Federica, I can only say that she is an excellent teacher, I am very satisfied with my progress
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Hi, welcome to my profile!
My name is Alessia and I currently live in Italy. I spent a few years in the United States where I deepened my knowledge of English and American dialects. I am currently specializing in Spanish and German. Over the years, I have given private lessons in Italian, English, Spanish, and Japanese, with Japanese being the most requested at the moment. Regarding Japanese, I had the opportunity to teach the language at an American college with a native Japanese teacher, applying the method that they use to learn their own language. I will help you in a simple way; conversation is really important for learning a language, and a good method is even more fundamental. No days spent on textbooks are needed; consistency and fun during lessons are the most important parts of learning. You will see results right away! I am patient, flexible, and will adapt in every way to your personal needs. I look forward to seeing you on my profile for a trial lesson and discovering an easy and fun method to learn a language as soon as possible.
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We only did two lessons but it seems to me that Alessia has understood what I need! She is very good and knows all the terms and idioms of everyday life, just what I need! :)
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Vanessa has over 10 years of teaching experience. She teaches the levels from A1 until C1. She cannot only teach you the language but also educate you on the relevant cultural topics related to the Spanish language. Furthermore, she will also be able to help you with industry specific vocabulary if necessary. Her lessons are completely adjusted to you and your needs.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Hi there, I’m Letizia!
I've always had a great passion for languages and have made it my life's work.
I have been teaching English, Spanish and Italian as second languages (L2) to international students for 7 years now. I mainly work with teenagers and adults, but I also have experience with school-age children.
I am specialised in Psycholinguistics and Applied Linguistics for teaching: specifically, I work on the processes of L2 language acquisition (SLA), language development and processing.
Course features:
- Exams and certifications
- Academic and colloquial language
- Vocabulary and oral skills
- Course build on your needs and goals
- Interactive activities
- Authentic and personalised study materials.
Cancellation policy: to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please give at least a 6 hours notice.
Delays are accepted for up to 15 minutes, after which the lesson will be considered not cancelled and, thus, charged.
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I had about 12 hours of lessons with Letizia for the B2 English language certification for my university, and I passed all the tests with more than sufficient grades! I recommend Letizia for her patience and kindness in explaining every concept and repeating as many times as necessary what is most difficult to learn. Punctual and precise also in correcting homework and in the constant evaluation of progress between one lesson and another. Thank you!
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**** Please contact me before booking a lesson, thanks! :-)*** Hello everyone, I'm Federica and I'm an italian and english teacher. Before being a teacher I've been a student infact I graduated in languages so I know very well how hard can be learning a new language. I'm interested in music, cinema, literature and I enjoy talking about several topics. I've been teaching since 2009 and in 2012 I've qualified as italian language teacher. I've experience with children and adults, with in company courses, with total beginners as well as with advanced. Also I've succesfully prepared a number of students for the most important english and italian certification (CELI, CILS, FIRST, PET, KET). Over the last years I've became specialized in one-to-one or small groups lessons because in this way I can create a tailored programme for each student. I follow a communicative approach and in my classes there's lot of room for speaking but I don't neglect grammar, listening and writing. I provide you with material, sometimes selfmade, other times taken from books, videos, or songs, but always useful to help you to immerse in the target language! At the end of every lesson I always assign homework in order to revise the things learnt. I define myself as a happy, positive and very patient person and I do my best to make the class a funny and relaxed moment. I look forward to meet you online!
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After a year of classes with Federica, I can only say that she is an excellent teacher, I am very satisfied with my progress
Federica C.
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Thanks a lot! It's amazing how much progress you've made with English in one year! Keep going like this!
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