Present Perfect – Simple Past – contrasted
Differences and similarities in the Present Perfect and the Simple Past
1. Use
Present Perfect | Simple Past |
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2. Signal words
Present Perfect | Simple Past |
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3. Form
Present Perfect | Simple Past |
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have/has + past participle * | regular verbs → infinitive + ed irregular verbs → 2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs |
* past participle:
- regular verbs → infinitive + -ed
- irregular verbs → 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs
4. Examples
4.1. Affirmative sentences
Present Perfect | Simple Past |
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I have played football. | I played football. |
You have played football. | You played football. |
He has played football. | He played football. |
4.2. Negative sentences
Present Perfect | Simple Past |
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I have not played football. | I did not play football. |
You have not played football. | You did not play football. |
He has not played football. | He did not play football. |
4.3. Questions
Present Perfect | Simple Past |
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Have I played football? | Did I play football? |
Have you played football? | Did you play football? |
Has he played football? | Did he play football? |
5. Spelling (Present Perfect and Simple Past)
- stopped (Double the consonant after a short vowel.)
- loved (one -e at the end of the word → Add only -d.)
- worried (consonant before -y → Change to -i.)