Present Perfect and Past Simple

The Past Simple tells us only about the past. If somebody says “Karen lost her mobile phone”. We do not know whether she has it now or not. We only know that she lost it at some time in the past.

The Present Perfect is a present tense. It always tells us something about now. “Karen has lost her mobile phone.” = She doesn’t have her mobile phone now.

The Present Perfect is not used if there is no connection with the present (things that happened a long time ago, for instance)

Shakespeare wrote many plays --- My cousin is a writer. He has written many novels (he still writes novels).

Fill in the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Present Perfect or Past Simple.

a) Lawrence _________ to America for a while but he’s back again now. (go)

b) “Is Tom still here?” – “No, he _______ out.” (just/go)

c) I wanted to call Lucas yesterday but I ________. (forget)

d) Sean ________me his telephone number but I think I ________ it. (give, lose)

e) They’re still building the new shopping mall. They _____________ it (not/finish)

Answers:

a) Lawrence has gone to America for a while but he’s back again now.

b) “Is Tom still here?” – “No, he has just gone out.”

c) I wanted to call Lucas yesterday but I forgot.

d) Sean gave me his telephone number but I think I have lost it.

e)They’re still building the new shopping mall. They have not finished it.