The Present Perfect is used to talk about an action that began in the past that continues up to the present, to say whether or not we ever do certain things in our life. Also, the Present Perfect is usually used with ‘already’, ‘yet’, ‘ever’, ‘never’. The Present Perfect is not used if we want to express the exact time of the actions in the past. Let’s see the following examples:
- I have read the book.
- Have you ever seen a ghost?
- I have never eaten snakes.
Totally different from the Present Perfect, the Past Simple is used to talk about actions or situations in the past. The Past Simple is often used with the exact time in the past. It does not continue up to the present. Let’s see the following examples:
- Last night I went to the nightclub.
- European reached Indonesia in the fifteenth century.
- The bus left an hour ago.
Present Perfect vs Past Simple Exercises
Exercise I
Put the verb in the brackets into Present Perfect or Past Simple!
Examples:
She (wash) her hair. It looks so clean now. She has washed her hair. It looks so clean now.
1. I not (wash) my car for a month. It looks so dirty.
2. His hair is very short. He (have) a haircut.
3. My father (buy) a new notebook last week.
4. My girlfriend isn’t here anymore. She (go) with another man.
5. Last night I (go) to bed late. I feel sleepy now.
6. When …Portuguese (reach) Asia?
7. I am so hungry. I not (eat) anything yet.
8. My wife (work) in the bank for ten years now.
9. …you ever (be) to Rome ?
10.I don’t know my boyfriend’s father. I …never (meet) him.
Exercise II
Complete the sentences with correct time expressions.
Example:
Today is the 19th of February. I bought this smartphone three days ago.
I have had this phone since the sixteenth of February.
I have had this phone for three days.
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I have a car. I bought it five months ago. I have had this car for………………… I have had this car since …………………
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I first met her three years ago. I have known her for ……………… I have known her since ………………
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It is the year 2021. I started working in 2018. I have worked for ……………… I have worked since ………………
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It is December now. I got married in June. I have been married for ……………… I have been married since ………………
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I was born in 2000. It’s 2021 now. I started living in this city in 2010. I have lived in this city for ……………… I have lived here since ………………
Exercise III
Answer the questions based on your real situation now. Answer with a complete sentence.
Example: When did you arrive here? 👉 I arrived here ten minutes ago.
How long have you been here? 👉 I’ve been here for ten minutes.
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What time did you get up this morning?
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How long have you worked/studied today?
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When did you buy your shoes you’re wearing now?
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How long have you known your best friend?
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How long have you lived in this city?
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When did you last have your hair cut?
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Have you ever been to the capital city of this country?
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How many times have you been there?
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What have you eaten today?
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How much have you eaten it/them?
Answer
Exercise I
1. I have not washed my car for a month. It looks so dirty.
2. His hair is very short. He has had a haircut.
3. My father bought a new notebook last week.
4. My girlfriend isn’t here anymore. She has gone with another man.
5. Last night I went to bed late. I feel sleepy now.
6. When did Portuguese reach Asia?
7. I am so hungry. I have not eaten anything yet.
8. My wife has worked in the bank for ten years now.
9. Have you ever been to Rome?
10.I don’t know my boyfriend’s father. I have never met him.
Exercise II
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I have had this car for five months. I have had this car since October.
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I have known her for three years I have known her since 2018.
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I have worked for four years. I have worked since 2017.
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I have been married for six months. I have been married since June
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I have lived in this city for eleven years. I have lived here since 2010.
Exercise III
Many possible answers.
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I got up at 5 o’clock this morning.
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I’ve worked/studied for two hours today.
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I bought them last year.
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I’ve known her/him for five years.
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I’ve lived in this city for ten 12 years.
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I last had my hair cut two weeks ago.
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Yes, I have./No, I haven’t
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I’ve been there many times.
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I’ve eaten sandwiches, cakes, and vegetables.
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I’ve eaten a lot of them.
Other Exercises
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