Past Simple vs. Present Perfect

The Present Perfect

The present perfect is a present tense

It always tells us something about now

Tom has lost his key means Tom doesn’t have his key now.

John has lived in London for two years means Tom lives in London now.

The past simple is a past tense It always tells us something about the

past, never about now

Tom lost his key means he lost it in the past but we don’t know if he has it now.

Tom lived in London means he lived there in the past but we don’t know where he lives now.

The Past Simple

Sheila has joined the Capoeira Club. Sheila joined the Capoeira Club.

The use of the present perfect has more to do with our present perspective on the event rather than on the actual time at which it took place.

The core meaning of the past tense is remoteness.

Is it the same?

The simple past tense occurs with specific past-time adverbials. The use of specific past-time adverbials (e.g., yesterday, last year, in 1990) makes the past tense obligatory.

The use of more general temporal adverbials is commonly associated with the present perfect (e.g., already, for, since, yet).

Adverbial use

Organize the phrases in the next slide into three columns headed used with simple past, used with present perfect and used with either.

Simple past or present perfect?

Up to nowIn the last

century

During Kennedy’s

lifetime

Over the last hundred years

or so

For three months

Three months ago

Since three months ago

RecentlyThis is the first time I

LatelyThroughout

the 17th century

Since the Vietnam War

TodayWithin the last three months

After the Second World

War

In the last century during Kennedy’s lifetime Three months ago Throughout the 17th century

With past simple

Up to now Over the last hundred years or so Since three months ago This is the first time I Lately Since the Vietnam War Within the last three months

With present perfect

For three months Recently Today After the Second World War

With either

Past simple is used by speakers to talk about past events which are, or which they regard as, finalized, or over and done with.

Present perfect is used by speakers to talk about events which are still current, or which they want to highlight as being incomplete or still relevant.

Overview

Let’s compare They’ve been married for 30 years They were married for 30 years

Did you ever meet my grandfather? Have you ever met my grandfather?

I didn’t shave this morning I haven’t shaved this morning

The actor John Kinsella has died The actor John Kinsella died in 1978

I’ve left my wallet in the car. I’m going back to get it I left my wallet in the car. I’m going back to get it

My father lived here all his life My father has lived here all his life