Past Simple vs Present Perfect: English Grammar Lesson

This English grammar lesson will help you understand when to use the past simple and when to use the present perfect.

Watch the video then do the revision exercises If you need more help then read the text below before trying the exercises.

The present perfect is a present tense . . .
. . . so it only tells us about the situation now.

‘I have been in this bath for two hours.’
Present perfect because . . .
. . . the dog has now been in the bath for two hours.
‘He still has not finished washing me.’
(the situation now, the washing, has not finished)

Remember: The present perfect is a present tense so it only tells us about now.

Now do the revision exercises

 

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