Present Perfect or Past Simple?
We use the Present Perfect for past actions that have a clear result in the present: Oh, dear!
I’ve spilled my coffee!
They’ve opened up a new destination.
We use the Past Simple for actions or situations that finished in the past or when we say the
time when something happened in the past: Pele played football for Brazil.
He started his career as a hotel manager in 2008.
We use the Present Perfect for actions or situations that started in the past and continue to the
present: I’ve worked here since 2003.
They’ve been in New York for the last ten years.
We use the Present Perfect + just, recently, lately, already, yet to emphasize that something
happened in the very recent past: Nick’s just left. Jack’s already had breakfast. Have you seen
Mary recently? I haven’t watched that film yet. Have you finished yet?
We use the Present Perfect to talk about experiences we’ve had in our lives up to now: Pat’s
had a lot of different jobs. Have you ever been to Spain?
We can use always, often, once, twice, etc. to talk about frequency:
He’s always wanted to work in a tourism industry.. I’ve met her once.
We use the Present Perfect with ever and never to talk about something that is happening for the
first time, and with the comparative and superlative: This is the first time she’s ever played
tennis. She’s never played tennis. This is the best film I’ve ever seen.
I’ve never seen a better film.
We use the Past Simple to give more details about our experiences:
Steve has traveled all over the world. He went to Australia last year and last month he spent a
week in Japan.
Когда вы в последний раз _? (ваша стиральная машина / ремонт) Вы обычно _? (ваши волосы / краски / этот талантливый парикмахер) Я надеюсь, что вы скоро. Это выглядит ужасно! (ваш потолок / перекрасить) Я не уверен, что Сью _ на неделе. Обычно она сама шьет эти красивые платья. (шить / новости платье) Вы слышали новости? Андрей _ недавно! (все кредитные карты / украсть) Прямо сейчас наша компания _ до пункта назначения. (все необходимые документы / перевод) Нам необходимо _бить всех членов вашей семьи. (ваша воля / подпись)
2. Where are my keys? Where did I put THEM?
3. That is not my bag, MINE is black.
4. This letter is for Bill. Can you give it to HIM?
5. We wrote to John but he didn't answer OUR letter.
6. “I can't find my pen. Can I use YOURS?” “Yes, of course.”
7. We're going to the cinema. Why don't you come with US?
8. Can we use your washing machine? OURS is broken.
9. Did your sister pass HER exams?
10. Tom invited some friends of HIS to the restaurant.
11. Some people talk about THEIR jobs all the time.
12. Last night I went out for a meal with a friend of MINE.
13. We had dinner with a neighbour of OURS.