# data[].attributes.body
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to differentiate between Present Perfect and Past Simple in advanced contexts, use both tenses accurately in speaking and writing, and recognize common time expressions associated with each tense.

# data[].attributes.body
✓ Explain the distinction between completed past actions vs. actions with present relevance
✓ Use appropriate time expressions with each tense
✓ Produce accurate sentences in both written and spoken form
✓ Apply the tenses in real-world contexts

# data[].attributes.headline
Warm-up: Experience Discussion (10 mins)

# data[].attributes.subject
Warm-up: Experience Discussion (10 mins)

# data[].attributes.body
Students use Padlet to share interesting experiences from their lives using both tenses. Example prompts:
- Have you ever...
- When was the last time you...
- What's the most interesting thing you've done this year?

# data[].attributes.headline
Direct Instruction: Tense Review (15 mins)

# data[].attributes.subject
Direct Instruction: Tense Review (15 mins)

# data[].attributes.body
Interactive presentation on key differences between tenses:
- Present Perfect: unfinished time periods, experience, recent events
- Past Simple: finished time periods, specific moments
- Common time expressions for each

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Past Simple vs Present Perfect: Advanced Differences | Secret Advanced English Grammar Rules

# data[].attributes.headline
Guided Practice: News Report Activity (20 mins)

# data[].attributes.subject
Guided Practice: News Report Activity (20 mins)

# data[].attributes.body
In pairs, students analyze recent news articles, identifying and discussing why each tense is used. Focus on how recent events use Present Perfect while specific past events use Past Simple.

# data[].attributes.headline
Speaking Practice: Interview Game (15 mins)

# data[].attributes.subject
Speaking Practice: Interview Game (15 mins)

# data[].attributes.body
Students conduct interviews about life experiences and recent activities, requiring natural switching between tenses. Partners provide feedback on accuracy.

# data[].attributes.body
Individual writing task: Students write a blog post about recent changes in their lives and specific past events that led to these changes.

# data[].attributes.body
More advanced students can analyze common errors in tense usage from authentic materials and explain the corrections.

# data[].attributes.body
Additional support: Creating visual timelines to understand when to use each tense, with extra examples and practice exercises.

# data[].attributes.body
Monitor student discussions and writing activities, noting common errors and areas needing clarification.

# data[].attributes.body
10-minute quiz focusing on choosing between tenses in advanced contexts and explaining why each tense is appropriate.

# data[].attributes.body
Record short presentations on Padlet where students discuss life experiences, ensuring natural use of both tenses.

# data[].attributes.body
Class discussion: What situations make it difficult to choose between these tenses? What strategies help you decide?

# data[].attributes.body
Students write:
1. One new insight about using these tenses
2. One situation where they're still unsure
3. One way they'll use this knowledge in real life

# data[].attributes.body
Write a reflective essay (300 words) about your university experience so far, naturally incorporating both tenses.

# data[].attributes.body
Complete interactive grammar exercises focusing on advanced usage of both tenses.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Present perfect - Form

Short forms

Note that short forms are not used in positive short answers.

Present perfect - Use

Summary chart

Past events when time is not mentioned

We use the present perfect to talk about past actions or events when time is not mentioned, i.e. we don't say when these events happened.

Just already, yet

We often the present perfect with just, already and yet. We can use just after the verb have to emphasise that these events are very recent.

We use already in positive sentences to talk about actions that we have completed sooner than we expected. Already goes after the verb have.

We use yet in negative sentences and questions to talk about things that we expect to happen soon. Yet goes at the end of the sentence.

Recently

We often use the present perfect with recently to talk about past recent actions.

Today, this week, this month, this year

We can use the present perfect with time expressions when the time we mention has not finished.

Past experiences - never, ever, before

We use the present perfect to talk about past experiences when we don't say or we don't know when something happened.

Never, ever, before

We often use the words never, ever, or before to talk about experiences.

The best thing I've ever done

We can use the present perfect simple with a superlative adjective and ever.

How many times

We can also use the present perfect to say how many times something has happened until now.

Have gone to or have been to?

We say someone has gone somewhere when this person is still away, and we say someone has been somewhere when this person has already come back from that place.

Duration from the past until now - for, since

We can use the present perfect with for, since and how long to ask or talk about situations that started in the past and have not finished.

Compare:

For + period of time; since + moment in the past

We use for + period of time ( 2 hours, 3 days, 20 years, etc.) and we use since + the moment in the past when something started.

Lately, all morning/day/year/etc.

We can also use the present perfect with lately or with all + period of time ( all day, all morning, all my life, etc.) to talk about actions that started in the past and continue in the present.

Don't use ago

We can't use ago with the present perfect.

Past simple or present perfect?

When did it happen?

We use the present perfect (NOT past simple) to talk about past experiences and actions when we don't say or don't know when they happened.

We use the past simple (NOT present perfect) when we mention or ask about when something happened, or when the time is known by the speaker and the listener. We often use a past expression ( last week, yesterday, when I was a child, etc.)

Giving details in past simple

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Past simple or present perfect? - Test-English

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Past simple or present perfect. How long, for, since, already, yet, before, ever, never, etc. B1 - English intermediate grammar exercises.

# data[].attributes.body
Find and analyze the use of these tenses in an English news article or video, explaining why each instance uses one tense or the other.