Present perfect / Past simple
Clue words
Last
My sister played soccer last friday.
Ago
She phoned me two hours ago.
Yesterday
She didn't play golf yesterday.
Estructure
Subject + past simple
I ate a lot.
She ate a lot.
Negative
Subject +did+not+ infinitive
I didn't eat a lot.
She didn't eat a lot.
Interrogative
Did + subject + infinitive ?
Did you eat a lot?
Did she eat a lot?
Use
Talks about actions and events in the past that are now finished.
Shakespeare wrote many plays.
To indicate that something happened at a specific time in the past.
I bought a new car last week.
Use for a state in the past in a period which is finished.
I was in the hospital for three days.
Use with today, this morning, this week, etc. when these periods are finished at the time of speaking.
He didn't shave today.
To give the details.
It landed in Florida this morning.
Clue words
Ever/never
He has never played golf before.
Since
She has worked since 2000.
So far
She has phoned me four time so far.
Yet
Estructure
Subject + have/has + past participle
I have eaten a lot.
María has eaten a lot.
Negative
Subject + have/has + not + past participle
I haven't eaten a lot.
María hasn't eaten a lot.
Interrogative
Have/has + subject + past participle ?
Have you eaten a lot?
Has she eaten a lot?
Use
Shows a relation between past time and present time.
My sister has written many books.
To talk about something happened in the past, but we don't specify when it has happened.
I have bought a new car.
Use for a state which has gone on up to the present.
She has been in the hospital for three days.
Use with today, this morning, this week etc. When these periods are not finished at the time of speaking.
I have shaved today.
To give new information (general summary).
The Us space shuttle Atlants has returned safely to earth.