Past Simplepresent Perfect Simplepresent Perfect Continuous

PAST SIMPLE

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

-Finished actions in the past

- Past experiences if we don’t say when.

-Unfinished actions which started in the past and are still

when we know when they

I’ve lost my key.

happened.

I’ve read the instructions but I still don’t understand.

I lost my key yesterday.

- Unfinished actions which started in the past and are still

-To ask when, what time...?

true now (specially with verbs such as to be, have, know)

-When the action clearly took

I’ve known him for a long time.//I’ve been here since 10 o’clock

place at a definite time even though this time is not mentioned. I bought this car in Paris

true now. (Not possible with to have, to be, to know). I’ve been learning English for 3 years. -Continuous action in the past which has recently finished. I’ve been jogging. -An incomplete activity.

- Action in the past which has recently finished (usually with

I’ve been cleaning the house but I still haven’t

just, already and yet). He has just arrived.

finished . -To emphasise duration.

- To provide new information. I’ve cut myself! // I’ve lost my keys

She’s been writing letters all morning. -A repeated activity. He’s been taking French lessons this year. -With the verbs to sit and to wait. I’ve been waiting for more than 20 minutes.

*With the verbs to live, to work or actions repeated over a long period of time either the PPS or the PPC are possible. John has lived / has been living in Oxford for a long time. I’ve collected / been collecting stamps since I was a child. *Sometimes either the PS or the PPS are possible but with a difference in meaning. I left my wallet in the car (but I won’t go back to the car for it) I’ve left my wallet in the car (and I’ll problably go back for it) *To differenciate an incomplete period of time from a complete period we use PP or PS At 11a.m Tom has rung up three times this morning. But : at 4 p.m. Tom rang up three times this morning OR Tom has been ringing up all day * In American English both, the Past Simple and the Present Perfect Simple, can be used without difference in meaning.