Simple Past vs. Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

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Upgrade 2 - Unit 4
Grammar Reference

• Simple Past vs. Present Perfect and Present
  Perfect Continuous

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Have you ever been to Florianópolis?
Yes, I have. Twice!
Really? I went there last weekend and I loved it!
I have some relatives there. I love the city too!
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Present Perfect x Simple Past
We use the Present Perfect to talk about an
imprecise time in the past or something that
happened in the past but is relevant in the
present.
However, when the action is identified, we switch
to the Simple Past tense.
For example
A Have you ever driven a car? B Yes, I have. I
first drove one when I was 18.
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In this way, when there is no time reference, we
use the Present Perfect.
Consequently, when we mention the period of time
in which an action happened, we use the Simple
Past.
I have been to Florianópolis twice.
Present perfect
NO TIME REFERENCE
I went to Florianópolis last month.
Simple Past
TIME REFERENCE EXPLICIT
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Some Important Words
Simple Past Present Perfect
yesterday ever
... ago yet
in 2004 already
last week up to now
the other day once
twice
recently
My mom bought a new car last month.
I have lived in this house for two years.
Lets think of other examples?
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Auxiliary Verbs
Simple Past
DID
Present Perfect
HAVE
HAS
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Present Perfect Continuous
We use the Present Perfect Continuous for actions
starting in the past and still continuing.
The focus is on the duration of the action
started in the past and continued up to the
present.
When the duration is not mentioned, it means that
the action has happened recently.
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I have been studying English since I was a
child. I havent been feeling well.
FUTURE
PAST
PRESENT
Lets create more examples?!
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AFFIRMATIVE FORM
been
I
studying.
have
You
have
He
She
It
has
We
You
They
have
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NEGATIVE FORM
not
been
I
studying.
have
You
have
He
She
It
has
We
You
They
have
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INTERROGATIVE FORM
been
I
studying?
Have
you
Have
he
she
it
Has
we
you
they
Have
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Compare
I have lived abroad.
The action is over.
I have been living abroad.
The action is in progress.
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Your turn

• Are these actions finished or still in progress?

• Hes studied English for 2 years.
• Paula has cleaned her room.
• João has been working in a big company.
• They have won the championship.
• Claire has been dating Paul.

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And you?
How long have you been studying in your school?
How long have you been studying English?