Present Perfect Tense
We use the present perfect tense:
A, To talk about the things that happened in the past--the specific time is not important.
1. I've already graduated from college.
2. I've eaten breakfast.
3. She has finished cooking dinner.
B, To talk about things that started in the past and continue now.
1. I've lived alone for five years now.
2. I've been sick for three weeks now.
3. I've studied at Bunker Hill Community College for six years now.
C. To talk about things that happened several times in the past--the specific time is not important.
1. I've seen that movie three times.
2. This car has been in eight accidents.
3. Kevin has applied to Harvard University four times.
4. I've woken up at 5 a.m. everyday this week to catch the early bus.
5. I've seen the elderly couple walk by our house three times today.
Simple Past Tense
We use the simple past tense:
A. To talk about things that happened at a specific time in the past.
1. I graduated in 2005.
2. We married ten years ago.
3. I took Introduction to Business class last year.
B. To talk about things that started and ended in the past.
1. I lived alone for five years. Now I live with my wife and child.
2. We carpooled for two years. Now we drive separately.
3. I liked lobster. Now I hate it.
We use the present perfect tense:
A, To talk about the things that happened in the past--the specific time is not important.
1. I've already graduated from college.
2. I've eaten breakfast.
3. She has finished cooking dinner.
B, To talk about things that started in the past and continue now.
1. I've lived alone for five years now.
2. I've been sick for three weeks now.
3. I've studied at Bunker Hill Community College for six years now.
C. To talk about things that happened several times in the past--the specific time is not important.
1. I've seen that movie three times.
2. This car has been in eight accidents.
3. Kevin has applied to Harvard University four times.
4. I've woken up at 5 a.m. everyday this week to catch the early bus.
5. I've seen the elderly couple walk by our house three times today.
Simple Past Tense
We use the simple past tense:
A. To talk about things that happened at a specific time in the past.
1. I graduated in 2005.
2. We married ten years ago.
3. I took Introduction to Business class last year.
B. To talk about things that started and ended in the past.
1. I lived alone for five years. Now I live with my wife and child.
2. We carpooled for two years. Now we drive separately.
3. I liked lobster. Now I hate it.