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B1-B2

PAST SIMPLE or PRESENT PERFECT? | Let's learn and compare! – English Tenses

Arnel's Everyday English

1.2M views 4 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When do you think we use the past simple: for yesterday/last week, or for today/this week?
What do you find more confusing: choosing the tense, or making the verb form?
How confident are you about the difference between past simple and present perfect?

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PAST SIMPLE or PRESENT PERFECT? | Let's learn and compare! – English Tenses

Structures + finished vs unfinished time (00:00 – 04:55)

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1. How do we form the present perfect in the video?

subject + will + verb 1
subject + verb 2
subject + have/has + verb 3 (past participle)
subject + to be + verb-ing

2. At 3:00, which sentence does the speaker say is correct for 'this morning'?

I've worked very hard this morning.
I work very hard this morning.
I worked very hard this morning.
I have worked very hard yesterday.

3. Why is 'last month we visited Lake Como' correct (not 'have visited')?

Because 'Como' is plural
Because present perfect cannot be used with travel
Because 'last month' is a finished time
Because 'visited' is more formal

PAST SIMPLE or PRESENT PERFECT? | Let's learn and compare! – English Tenses

Life experiences + actions (for/since) (04:55 – 09:55)

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1. Why do we often use the present perfect for life experiences?

Because it is only for formal writing
Because it only describes future plans
Because your life isn't finished yet
Because the exact time is always important

2. After someone says they went somewhere 'two years ago', what tense is used for the rest of the conversation?

Present continuous
Present perfect
Past simple
Future simple

3. Which statement about 'since' is correct according to the video?

We use 'since' only for exact dates (never for events).
We don't use 'since' with past simple because 'since' means continuing up to now.
We commonly use 'since' with past simple to show a finished period.
We only use 'since' with future forms.

PAST SIMPLE or PRESENT PERFECT? | Let's learn and compare! – English Tenses

Connection to the present + American usage + final review (09:55 – 13:45)

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1. What is the key idea of the present perfect in 'the police have taped off the path'?

It describes a future plan
It is the same meaning as present continuous
It shows a past action with an impact on the present
It is used only with 'yesterday'

2. According to the speaker, what do Americans often prefer when something is done?

Present perfect
Past simple
Past perfect
Present continuous

3. Which example is given for unfinished time in the final review?

I went to the beach yesterday.
Sue called me 3 hours ago.
I've drunk three cups of coffee today.
I drank three cups of coffee yesterday.

PAST SIMPLE or PRESENT PERFECT? | Let's learn and compare! – English Tenses

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1. Which time expression most strongly suggests the past simple?

last week
today
so far
recently

2. Choose the best sentence for an unfinished period of time.

I've worked very hard this morning. (It is still 11:00.)
I worked very hard this morning. (It is 3:00.)
I have worked very hard yesterday.
I worked very hard this morning. (It is still 11:00.)

3. What is the usual purpose of 'Have you ever…?' in the video?

To make a prediction
To ask about a specific finished time
To describe a daily routine
To ask about life experiences without focusing on when

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

PAST SIMPLE or PRESENT PERFECT? | Let's learn and compare! – English Tenses

What time expressions do you use most (yesterday, last week, today, so far, recently)? Give your own examples.
Think of one unfinished time period (today/this week/this month). Make two sentences: one in past simple and one in present perfect, and explain the difference.
Ask a partner three 'Have you ever…?' questions. Then choose one answer and continue with past simple by adding a specific time (e.g., two years ago).
Do you notice differences between American and other English varieties in tense use (like 'I've just ordered' vs 'I just ordered')? Which sounds more natural to you?