Past Simple or Present Perfect

Compare the Past Simple and the Present Perfect:

1.- we use the Past Simple to talk about something that happened at a particular time
in the past:

I met John at four o´clock.
When did Jane go to India? .- In June
Martin bought a new car last week.

2.- We use the Past Simple for situations or actions during a period of time that Ended
in the past:

I worked there for two years. I left last year

past ----------------------------------------> now

I worked there for two years.

We lived in that house for a long time; then we moved to this one.
Our company opened two new shops last summer.

3.- Notice how we often move from the Present Perfect to the Past Simple:

Peter: Have you ever played this game before?
Maria: Yes, I played it once when I was in England
Peter: Did you win?
Maria: No, I lost.


We use the Present Perfect to talk about the past, but not about when things happened:

I've met John's girlfriend. She's nice.
Have you ever been to India? .- Yes, I have.
I have never bought a new car.

We use the Present Perfect for situations or actions during a period of time from the
past to now:

He has worked here for two years
(He still works here)

past -------------------------------> now

He has worked here for two years.

We've lived in this flat since we got married.
( we still live in it.)

We opened two shops last summer. Since then
(= since that time), we have opened two more.

Kiss,kiss,kiss

Leave
I'm not gonna stop you (stop you)
But before you go
Hurt me so I can't forget you

Say it wasn't love
Say I was a fool
Anything to tear me apart
Why do you care?
Why do you smile?
Why are you holding me now?

Kiss kiss kiss
Kissing you one more time before
You walk out that door
Wishing behind these lips oh baby please stay (please stay)

Now you know I'm me
Looking down the street
Thought I could handle this moment
But your love was good
So so so good
And it's too much to lose

Miss miss miss
Missing you as you turn around
Walking out that door
My heart is crying out oh baby don't go (don't go)

No
I won't tell you so
Or that I love you (no, oh)
I've gotta let you go
(goodbye)

Present Perfect (3)

1.- We use Just with the Present Perfect to talk about things that happened a short time before now:

Have + just + Past Participle

It has just finished

Could I speak to Jane, please? - I'm afraid
She has just left.
(= She left a short time ago)

Is that a good book? - I've just started it
(= I started it a short time before now.)


2.- Look at this example with already:

Do you want something to eat? - No thanks, I've already eaten

(= I ate before now.)

We use already with the Present Perfect to emphasize that something happened before
now, or before it was expected to happen. we use already like this:

Have + already + Past Participle
I've already heard that story.

Here is another example:

Nicola: Is Sarah going to phone you later?
Robert: No. She's (= She has) already phoned me.
(= Sarah phoned before Nicola expected her to phone.)


3.- We use yet with a negative verb to say that something has not happened, but we think that it will happen:

I haven't escaped yet.

The post hasn't arrived yet.
(= The post has not arrived, but it probably will arrive.)

I haven't finished this work yet.
(= I haven't finished this work, but I will finish it.)

They haven't replied to my letter yet.


We use yet in questions to ask whether something that we expect to happen has happened:

Have you paid the bill yet?
(= Perhaps you have not paid the bill, but you are going to pay it soon.)

Has it stopped raining yet?
(= Perhaps is has not stopped raining, but it will stop raining soon.)

Have you found a job yet?

Notice that we usually put yet at the end of a negative statement or question:

They haven't replied to my letter yet. Have you found a job yet?