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