Present Perfect vs Past Simple
In this unit, students learn how to choose between present perfect and past simple using time markers like ever/never, already/yet, ago, and last…. Students practice listening for clues and then apply the rules in focused grammar tasks.
SWBAT (Objectives)
- Choose present perfect or past simple using time markers and context.
- Recognize “time finished” (past simple) vs “time not finished / no time” (present perfect).
- Use ever/never, already/yet with present perfect.
- Use ago, last…, yesterday, in 2019 with past simple.
- Understand key tense clues in short listening dialogues.
The Rule (Simple)
Use it when the time is not specific or the result matters now.
• I’ve been to Spain. (experience)
• She’s already finished. (result now)
Use it when the time is finished or specified.
• I went to Spain in 2019.
• She finished an hour ago.
Ask yourself:
1) Do I say when? → Past simple
2) No when / result now? → Present perfect
Time Markers (Clue Words)
• ever / never
• already (affirmative)
• yet (negative / questions)
• just
• so far / recently (often)
• ago (two days ago)
• last week/month/year
• yesterday
• in 2019 / in June
• when I was a child
Some words need context:
• today (time not finished) → often present perfect
• this week (time not finished) → often present perfect
• but if the time is clearly finished → past simple
Choose the tense:
1) I (have seen / saw) that movie last year.
2) She (has already left / left) — she isn’t here now.
3) Have you (ever tried / ever trieded) Korean BBQ?
Listening: Hear the Clue
- What are they talking about?
- Is the action an experience or a finished past event?
- What time marker do you hear?
- Circle the time marker: ever / already / yet / ago / last…
- Choose: present perfect or past simple?
- Write the final sentence you heard.
Students fix “wrong tense” sentences after listening.
Example: “I’ve went last year” → “I went last year.”
Grammar Practice
1) I (have never tried / never tried) sushi.
2) We (have finished / finished) the test 10 minutes ago.
3) She (has already left / left) — she isn’t here now.
Choose one: ago, last…, ever, yet, already
1) Have you finished ____?
2) I went there ____ week.
3) I’ve ____ been to Brazil.
1) I’ve seen him yesterday.
2) She has went to Rome last summer.
3) Did you ever try Korean BBQ?
Exit Ticket (5 minutes)
- Write 2 sentences with ever/never (present perfect).
- Write 2 sentences with ago/last… (past simple).
- Write 1 sentence using already and 1 using yet.
Homework
- Grammar: complete 20 sentences choosing the correct tense + time marker.
- Listening: replay the audio and underline all time markers in the script.
- Writing: write 8 sentences: 4 present perfect (no time) + 4 past simple (specific time).