Differences between Present Perfect and

Simple Past
Present perfect:
-Complete past actions connected to the present with stated or unstated time reference.
1- She has bought a new car. (Unstated time-we dont know when she bought
it but she is still having it)
2- I have taken painkillers for the sore throat this morning. (Stated time-its
still morning-action connected to the present)
3- My mum has cleaned and tidied the house. (Shes still alive- action connected to the present)

Past simple:
-Complete past actions not connected to the present with a stated or implied time reference.
1-They had an accident two years ago.(stated time-when? two years ago)
2-I warned her not to be so outgoing with James. (implied time-when? when I
met her)
3- Susan dreamed/dreamt of the Zombies. (action not connected to the
present-)

example
feeling and
meaning

specific
time?

Simple past
I visited 56 countries.
The feeling and meaning here
is that the person visited 56
countries, but his/her
travelling is finished.

The person may put a specific

time in this sentence. It is
optional.

Present perfect
I have visited 56 countries.
The feeling and meaning here is that
the person visited 56 countries, and
so far the travelling is finished;
however, his/her travelling may
continue in the future (but it may not
continue).
The person may NOT add a specific
time.

CORRECT:
I visited 56 countries last year.

INCORRECT
I have visited 56 countries last year.

Fill in present perfect or past simple:

1.-______________________ ( You/meet) her at the party last night. No, I _______________
(not/see) her yet it.
2- I ___________(spend) 19 years of my life in the seas. But I _____________ (leave) everything
and (move) ______________here in 2009.
3- How long ________________________ (you/teach) Russian?

Complete with Present Perfect o Simple Past.

1. Jane (stay) ________________ at home yesterday.
2. Your letter (arrive) ___________________ two days ago.
3. I (live) ______________ here for ten years.
4. Last week we (go)_______________ to the cinema.
5. The game (start) _______________ . They are playing now.
6. I (phone) __________________you at five and you weren't there.

7. I (lose)________________my watch, I can't find it.

8. Last month Sarah (travel)_____________to Italy.
9. I (work)____________________-all day and now I'm tired.
10. We (buy)___________________a new house last week.

Fill in the blanks with the correct present perfect or past simple form of the verbs in brackets.
1. ______________________ (you/ever/ go) to New York, Susan?
2. I _____________________(break) my
leg
last
summer
when
I
______________ (fall) off the bike.

3. Its the most delicious

________________________
eat).

fish I
(ever/

4. Peter _________________ (spend) the

evening revising for the maths exam
and
this
morning
he
__________________ (get) up very early to continue revising.

5. The living room looks different! Yes, we __________________ (just/ paint) it

yellow. Do you like it?