Unit2: Present Perfect and Past

Level B1 • eClass English Education

1. The Past Simple (Preterit) vs. The Present Perfect

In English, we often choose between two major tenses to talk about the past: the Past Simple and the Present Perfect. The choice depends on whether the time period is finished or unfinished, and whether the action has a connection to the present.

The Past Simple (Preterit) is used for actions completed ina finished time period. We often use specific time expressions such as yesterday, last week, in 1999, or two days ago. For example: “I watched television yesterday.” Regular verbs form the past by adding -ed (e.g., watch → watched). Irregular verbs do not follow this rule and must be memorized (e.g., go → went, see → saw).

Advanced Note: Time Expressions

Use ago with the Past Simple to show how long before now something happened: “He left 10 minutes ago.” Usefor with the Past Simple only if the period is finished: “I lived in London for 5 years (but I don’t live there now).”

2. The Present Perfect: Connection with Now

The Present Perfect is formed using have/has + the past participle (e.g., have eaten, has gone). It is used for actions in an unfinished time period (e.g., today, this week) or when the time is not specified. It connects the past to the present.

  • Result now: “I have lost my key.” (Result: I don’t have it now.)
  • Life experience: “Have you ever been to France?”
  • Unfinished duration: Use since for a starting point (e.g., “since 2010”) and for for a duration (e.g., “for 10 years”) when the action continues to the present.
Exercise 1: Regular vs. Irregular Verbs

Classify the following verbs into the correct column and write their Past Simple and Past Participle forms.

Verbs: break, work, write, finish, eat, play, see, clean

Regular Verbs (Base – Past – Participle) Irregular Verbs (Base – Past -Participle)
1. ____________________5. ____________________
2. ____________________6. ____________________
3. ____________________7. ____________________
4. ____________________8. ____________________
Exercise 2: Complete withPast Simple

Fill in the blanks using the Past Simple form of the verb in brackets.

  1. We (watch) ________ a great movie last night.
  2. I (not / go) ________ to school yesterday because I was sick.
  3. (you / see) ________ the football match last weekend?
  4. He (buy) ________ a new car three days ago.
  5. They (visit) ________ the museum in 2015.
  6. She (leave) ________ the party early.
  7. We (eat) ________ dinner at a restaurant on Friday.
  8. My brother (break) ________ his leg skiing last winter.
Exercise 3: Complete with Present Perfect

Fill in the blanks using the Present Perfect form (have/has + past participle).

  1. I (finish) ________ my homework, so I can relax now.
  2. She (not / see) ________ that film yet.
  3. (you / ever / be) ________ to London?
  4. We (live) ________ in this house for ten years.
  5. He (just / cut) ________ his finger.
  6. They (already / arrive) ________ at the station.
  7. Man (walk) ________ on the moon.
  8. I (lose) ________ my wallet.Can you help me find it?
Exercise 4: For or Since?

Complete the phrases with for or since.

  1. I have known him ________ primary school.
  2. We have been waiting ________ twenty minutes.
  3. She has lived here ________ 1995.
  4. They have been married ________ a long time.
  5. He has played the guitar ________ he was a child.
  6. I haven’t seen her ________ last Christmas.
  7. We have worked on this project ________ three days.
  8. It hasn’t rained ________ two months.
Exercise 5: Choose the Correct Tense

Circle the correct verb form (Past Simple or Present Perfect).

  1. I saw / have seen three movies last week.
  2. I saw / have seen three movies this week.
  3. She lived / has lived in Florida for two years, but now she lives in New York.
  4. She lived / has lived in Florida for two years, and she loves it there.
  5. Did you go / Have you gone to the gym yesterday?
  6. I didn’t finish /haven’t finished my work yet.
  7. He broke / has broken his leg in 2010.
  8. Where is your key? I don’t know,I lost / have lost it.
Exercise 6: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the sentences as negative statements or questions as indicated.

  1. She liked the movie. (Negative) ____________________________________
  2. They have finished the project. (Negative) ____________________________________
  3. He went to the beach yesterday. (Question) ____________________________________
  4. You have met my brother. (Question) ____________________________________
  5. We bought a new house. (Question) ____________________________________
  6. I have seen a ghost. (Negative) ____________________________________
  7. She wrote a letter to her friend. (Negative) ____________________________________
  8. They have lived here since 2000. (Question) ____________________________________
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