Understanding Present Perfect Tense and Simple Past Tense

Introduction

Definition: Used for unfinished actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
Example: "I have known Julie for 10 years."
- Meaning: Started knowing Julie 10 years ago and still knows her now.
Characteristics:
- Describes actions that can be repeated in the future if the subject is still alive.
- Example: "My brother has been to Mexico three times."
- Implication: He can go again in the future.
Consequences: Indicates a past action with a current consequence.
- Example: "I have lost my keys."
- Current consequence: Cannot get into the car.

Definition: Used for finished actions.
Example: "I knew Julie for 10 years."
- Meaning: Knew her in the past, but they lost touch.
Characteristics:
- Describes actions that cannot be repeated if the subject is deceased.
- Example: "My great-grandmother went to Mexico three times."
- Implication: Cannot go again as she has passed away.
Consequences: Indicates a past action with no current consequence.
- Example: "I lost my keys yesterday."
- Current outcome: Found the keys, so there is no issue now.

Present Perfect Tense:
- Time signals include: this week, this month, today, for, already, yet, recently, before, since, many times, just.
Simple Past Tense:
- Time signals include: last week, yesterday, in 2008, last month, a week ago, at 10 am, two days ago, last year.

Present Perfect Tense:
- Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle.
- Example: "She has watched the movie."
- Negative: Add "not" after have/has.
- Interrogative: Move have/has to the beginning.
Simple Past Tense:
- Structure: Subject + simple past verb.
- Example: "They went to Jakarta yesterday."
- Negative: Use "did not" + base verb (e.g., "did not go").
- Interrogative: Move "did" to the front and use the base verb.

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