Past simple versus present perfect

♦ We use the past simple for an action which happened at a definite time in the past. The time is stated, already known or implied.

Kate Steele wrote her first novel in 1970. (When? In 1970. The time is stated.)

♦ We use the present perfect for an action which happened at an unstated time in the past, that is, when the exact time is neither mentioned nor implied.

Kate Steele has written a lot of successful novels. (When? We do not know. The exact time is neither mentioned nor implied.)

♦ We use the past simple to talk about the lives of people who are no longer alive, even if the time is not stated, e.g. William Shakespeare wrote 'Romeo and Juliet.' (Shakespeare is no longer alive. We do not mention when he wrote the play, however, we use the past simple.)

♦ We use the past simple for an action which began and finished in the past.

George Barns was a basketball player for ten years. (He is no longer a basketball player. He is a coach.)

♦ We use the present perfect or the present perfect continuous for an action which started in the past and continues up to the present.

Jim Presley has worked/has been working as a waiter for fifteen years. (He began working as a waiter fifteen years ago and he is still a waiter today.)

♦ We use the present perfect to announce a piece of news, and the past simple or past continuous to give more details about it. e.g. I've just seen the new boss. I was talking to Carol on the phone when he came in.

Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple or the present perfect.

1. A: Do you know that man?

B: Oh yes. He's a very good friend of mine. I 1)... 've known... (know) him for about ten years.

A: I think I 2) … (meet) him at a business meeting last month.

2. A: Mum 1) … (lose) her purse.

B: Where 2) … (she/lose) it?

A: At the supermarket while she was shopping.

3. A: Who was on the telephone?

B: It 1) … (be) Jane.

A: Who is Jane?

B: Someone who 2) … (work) in my office for a few years. She's got a new job now, though.

4. A: Who is your favourite singer?

B: Freddie Mercury. He 1) … (have) a wonderful voice.

A: Yes, I agree. He 2) … (enjoy) performing live, too.

Fill in the gaps with one of the verbs from the list in the past perfect continuous.

read, scream, argue, try, eat, watch

1. Emily was angry. She... had been arguing … with her parents for an hour.

2. Hannah felt sick. She … chocolates all afternoon.

3. Allan had a headache. His baby sister … for half an hour.

4. Emily was frightened. She … a horror film for half an hour.

5. Simon was confused. He … to win the game for hours.

6. John was very tired. He … all night.