Present perfect vs past simple
Master the difference: connected to now (present perfect) or finished time (past simple) — including news, unfinished time periods and questions.
In this lesson you will
- Distinguish finished and unfinished time
- Use the present perfect for news and the past simple for details
- Use this week/today correctly
Learn
Past simple — finished time, often stated: I saw him yesterday / last year / in 2019 / when I was a child.
Present perfect — unfinished time or no time: I’ve seen him this week (the week isn’t over). I’ve been to Kenya (in my life).
News: introduce it with the present perfect, then give details with the past simple: The Prime Minister has resigned. She announced it this morning.
Questions: When did you…? always takes the past simple (When have you…? ✗). This morning depends on the time: at 10 am I’ve had two coffees this morning; at 4 pm I had two coffees this morning.
| Present perfect | Past simple |
|---|---|
| today, this week, this year (not finished) | yesterday, last week, in 2020 |
| ever, never, just, already, yet | ago, when…?, then |
| news headline | the details |
Examples
- Scientists have discovered a new species. They found it in Borneo.
- I’ve been really busy this week.
- When did you move here?
- Have you seen the new film? — Yes, I watched it on Saturday.
Vocabulary
resign
leave a job officially
announce
tell people officially
discover
find something new
headline
the title of a news story
so far
until now
Practice
I ___ a great film last night.
Listening: News round-up
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Here are today’s headlines. A local student has won an international science prize.
Maya Chen, who is seventeen, designed a cheap water filter. She presented it in Geneva last week.
In other news, the city council has approved a new cycle lane. Work began on Monday and should finish in March.
1.What has the student won?
2.Where did she present her invention?
3.When did work on the cycle lane begin?
Speaking
Share three pieces of personal news (present perfect) and give details for each (past simple), as if telling a friend.
Writing
Write a short news article (80–100 words) about a real or imagined event in your town: headline in the present perfect, details in the past simple.
Lesson quiz
She ___ to Japan three times.
Review
Key points
- Finished time → past simple; unfinished/no time → present perfect.
- News: present perfect headline, past simple details.
- When…? → past simple.
What you learned
- ✓ I can choose the right tense.
- ✓ I can report news.
- ✓ I understand unfinished time periods.
Grammar reference: Present perfect, Past simple