Udemy
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
Subscribe
Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.
Learn More
Your cart is empty.
Keep shopping
Past Simple and Present Perfect: What's the difference?
4 students

Past Simple and Present Perfect: What's the difference?

How can I know whether to use the past simple or present perfect?
Created byDaniel Brockert
Last updated 6/2012
English

Course content

1 section • 5 lectures • 7m total length

  • Past Simple1:32
    The Past Simple has the wrong name, because it is not a simple grammar to learn!  You need to know not only when to use it but when NOT to use it.  Of course you also have to memorize the changes in the words.  Also there are some sentences that look like past simple but actually don't mean past!  Y…
  • More about finished time1:15
    The past simple has a sister grammar called the past continuous.  Understanding how they are the same and different will make English much easier to understand and to speak well.          John went to the store-     Finished time/Finished action         John was going to the store.   Finished time/…
  • Where it gets complicated- Unfinished time2:05
    If your present perfect is not perfect, you are not alone.  Students often tell me they think it is difficult to learn.  "Teacher why do we have to say 'I went yesterday.'  I think 'I have gone yesterday' is ok."        The key difference is the time period.  Yesterday is finished time.  Present per…
  • It "just" depends where you are from!1:04
    There are some differences between American English and British English when using the past simple and present perfect.                I just went to the store>>>>>>>  American English             I've just gone to the store>>>>>  British English    Because this refers to an event that happened only…
  • Present Perfect's younger brother1:12
    There is one final grammar that is closely related to the present perfect- which I call it's younger brother.                 How long have you been living in Tucson?  I've been living in Tucson for 5 years.    This grammar is also used for unfinished time periods, but it is used to emphasize that a…

Description

I have a bachellor's degree in Linguistics from the University of Arizona and I've been helping students learn difficult English grammar for 7 years.  I can help you be successful in mastering two of the most difficult parts of the English language. 

Report abuse