Differences between past simple and present perfect

Past simple y present perfect son dos formas gramaticales que hacen referencia a una acción que inició en pasado.

Past simple

Estructura: subject + verb in past + complement.

Los puntos más importantes para utilizar el past simple son:

Tiempo definido y concluido:

• I saw the Great Wall of China in 2002.
• I went to her house yesterday.

Acciones repetidas en el pasado:

• Every day he prepared their breakfast.

Acciones terminadas en el pasado:

• I bought this at the store 2 days ago.
• She had lunch, and then she went home.
• Mike was my neighbor for 20 years. He moved house last week.

Present perfect

Estructura: subject + have/has + verb in past participle + complement.

Puedes relacionar el present perfect con la estructura gramatical del español llamada “pretérito perfecto”. Los puntos más importantes para utilizar el present perfect son:

Tiempo indefinido e inconcluso:

• I have been to her house many times. (he estado)
• She has worked there since 2010. (he trabajado)

Experiencias y logros:

• I have seen the Great Wall of China. (he visto)
• Bob has written many successful books. (ha escrito)

Acciones terminadas en el tiempo presente:

• He has lost his wallet, so I have to pay. (ha perdido)
• They’ll be late. They have missed the flight. (no han alcanzado)

Eventos recientes:

• No, thanks. I have eaten already. (he comido)
• The president has given a great speech recently. (ha entregado)

Acciones que comenzaron en el pasado y siguien siendo ciertas:

• Mike has been my neighbor for 20 years. We are best friends. (ha sido)
• They have lived there their whole life. (han vivido)

Ejercicio de writing

Escribe dos oraciones con cada estructura gramatical, past simple y present perfect.

Contribución creada por Andrés Guano.