Elvira Hernández Sánchez Simple past Vs present perfect Elvira Hernández Sánchez Autor: Clic here to continue
When do we use…? Simple past is used when the activity have finished. Present perfect is used when we want to talk about something which happened in the past but is relevant now.
Simple past grammar structure Affirmative sentence: I/you/he/she/it/we/they + went + to Mexico City last week. Pronoun + verb in simple past + complement. Negative sentence: I/you/he/she/it/they/we + did not=didn’t + go + to the party last week Pronoun + auxiliar+not + verb in simple form + complement.
Interrogative sentence: Did + I/you/he/she/it/we/they + do + the homework + ? Auxiliar + pronoun + verb in simple form + complement + question mark Short answers: yes + , + I/you/he/she/it/we/they + did yes + comma + pronoun +auxiliar no + , + I/you/he/she/it/we/they + did + not = didn’t no + comma + pronoun + auxiliar + not
simple past study the following examples: I got five in the exam yesterday. I didn’t/did not get a good grade in the exam. Did you pass the exam? Yes, I did No, I did not/didn’t
Present perfect grammar structure Affirmative sentence: Pronoun (I/you/they/we) + auxiliar (have=‘ve) + verb in past participle + complement Pronoun (He/she/it) + auxiliar (has= ‘s) + verb in past participle + complement Negative sentence: Pronoun (I/you/they/we) +auxiliar+not(have +not = haven’t) +verb in past participle + complement Pronoun (she/he/it)+auxiliar + not (has not = hasn’t) + verb in past participle + complement
Interrogative sentence: Auxiliar (have) + pronoun (I/you/we/they) + verb in past participle + complement + ? Auxiliar (has) + pronoun (she/he/it) + verb in past participle + complement + ? Short answers: Yes + , + pronoun (I/you/we/they) + have = ‘ve Yes + , + pronoun (she/he/it) + has=‘s No + , + pronoun (I/you/we/they) + have not = haven’t No + , + pronoun (she/he/it) + has = hasn’t
present perfect I have/’ve studied for the exam all day. Study the following examples: I have/’ve studied for the exam all day. I have not/haven’t studied for the exam. Have you studied for the exam? Yes, I have No, I have not/haven’t
Mix A:Have you ever been in Mexico City? (present perfect) B:Yes, I went to Mexico City last week. (simple past) As you can see we can mix both, simple past and present perfect.