The Past Simple versus the Past Continuous

The Past Simple describes a complete event in the past. The Past Continuous does not describe a complete event, it describes the event in the progress, at some time between its beginning and its end.

Look at the difference between these sentences

1. He was cooking the dinner when I arrived.

(He started cooking dinner before my arrival and the cooking was in the progress at the time of my arrival.)

He cooked dinner when I arrived.

(I arrived and then he cooked dinner. The sentence expresses two complete actions in the past.)

2. I was reading a book about astrology last night.

(The reading of the book was in the progress last night. The Past Continuous does not describe a complete action so we assume that the book was not finished last night.)

I read a book about astrology last night.

(I read the whole book from beginning to end last night.)

3. I was having a bath at eight o’clock.

(The action started before eight o’clock and was still in progress at eight o’clock.)

I had a bath at eight o’clock.

(This describes the complete event. It started at eight o’clock.)

Present perfect form

[has/have + past participle]

Examples:

• You have seen that movie many times.

In the interrogative form the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. In the negative form the negative particle not is placed after the auxiliary verb

• Have you seen that movie many times?

• You have not seen that movie many times.

USE 1 Unspecified time before now, past actions that have a present result

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

• I have seen that movie twenty times.

• There have been many earthquakes in California.

• People have travelled to the Moon.

• Have you read the book yet?

• Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.

The Present Perfect is used to indicate a past action that has a present result. The action is usually in the recent past.

• I have lost my key. ( I haven’t got it now)

• The taxi has not arrived yet. ( We are still waiting for it)

We often announce news in the Present Perfect, because the speaker is emphasizing the event as a present fact.

• Have you heard? The Prime Minister has resigned/Susan’s had her baby.

BUT details about definite time will be in the Past Simple

• He resigned because she lost a vote of no confidence. She has a baby boy this morning.

Use 2. Personal experience, achievements, changes over time,

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

• I have been to France. This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.

• I have been to France three times. You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.

• I have never been to France. This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

• Man has walked on the Moon.

• Our son has learned how to read.

• Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

Examples:

• You have grown since the last time I saw you.

• The government has become more interested in arts education.

• Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.

We use the Present Perfect after the constructions It’s the first/second/third, etc time I/he/she ….

• It’s the first time I’ve driven a car.

• It’s the fifth time she has failed her exam.

We use the Present Perfect after the constructions in the superlative degree:

• It’s the most boring film I have ever seen.

• She is the most charming person I’ve ever met.