PRESENT PERFECT VS.
SIMPLE PAST
1) Complete the mini-dialogues with the correct tense, present perfect or simple past. Look
out for signal words.
A)
Sean: I_____________________________ (never be) to Paris.
Jane: Oh, I ________________ (go) there last summer. I _______________ (do) a language
course there. I ___________________ (make) a lot of new friends too.
Sean: And your French is fantastic._________________________ (you, ever, think) about
studying there?
Jane: No, thanks. Im quite happy with our British university system. I ___________________
(apply) to London, Reading, Bristol and a couple more.
Sean:_______________________ (you, hear) anything yet?
Jane: No, its too early. I only __________________ (send off) the application forms last week.
B)
Jill: Rob and I _______________________ (go) to that new Indian restaurant last night.
Pete: Do you mean the one in Hadley Road?
Jill: Thats right. ____________________________ (you, ever, be) there?
Pete: Not yet. But Trish ___________________________ (already, be) there twiceand it
____________________ (only, be) open a week. She _________________ (love) the meal,
especially the sauces. She says she _____________________ (never, eat) such great Indian
food. What _____________________________ (you, order)?
Jill: Well, I _______________ (have) chicken and Rob __________________ (order) lamb .
C)
Ann: _______________________ (you, see) Pat recently? She ______________________ (not,
call) for over a week. I ________________________ (not, see) her since her birthday.
Liz: Well, actually I _____________________________ (just, speak) to her. She ____________
__________ (be) very busy this week. You know that she ________________________ (start)
her holiday job last Monday. Well, she __________________________ (never, work) in an
office before, so she _______________________ (have to) learn a lot of new things this week.
2) Choose the most suitable tense.
a) Did you see/Have you seen my bag anywhere? I cant find it.
b) Have you given/Did you give Helen my message when you have seen/saw her last
night?
c) The police think that they found/have found your wallet, so call this number.
d) How was your holiday in Italy? Did you visit/Have you visited interesting places?
e) Did you meet/Have you met anybody interesting at the reception?
f) I dont think well go swimming after all because the weather changed/has changed.
g) Paul has studied/studied a lot today.
3) Choose the most suitable time expression.
a) I havent seen Gerry for/since a long time. How is he?
b) Ive written to Deborah last week/recently.
c) What have you done yesterday/today?
d) Have you eaten Italian food before/already?
e) Ive lived here for/since the end of last year.
f) Actually, I had dinner with Sue last night/lately.
g) Tom hasnt been to Australia since/when we went together.
h) I cant remember how long/when Ive had this watch.
4) Look at Ginas list and write about her day. Use yet and already.
Dont forget!
Have a shower V
Make your bed X
Have breakfast V
Do your homework X
Tidy your room V
Phone Lucy X
Buy a birthday cake for Robert X
5) Complete the postcard. Use simple past or present perfect.
Hi Lucy!
This is a postcard of the London Eye. .. (you/ever/be) on it? Its really
impressive. I (never/be) so high in the air before. After the London Eye,
we .. (get on) a boat at Westminster Bridge and . (go up)
the River Thames under all the bridges. I (never/be) on the river bofore.
There .. lots of exciting buildings to see. See you soon.
Love,
Cathy
