Learn English Tenses: PAST SIMPLE & PRESENT PERFECT

The past simple and present perfect tenses are both used to talk about things that have happened. In this grammar lesson, I’ll compare the tenses, so you have a clear idea of when to use each tense. We’ll also talk about how each tense is formed, and go over time markers that can be used to identify each of the tenses. After watching, you’ll no longer be confused about when to use “in 2010” and when to use “since 2010”, and you’ll know the difference between “I went to India” and “I have been to India”.

Thanks for the lesson. Thanks to you I’ve figured out the topic. Quiz 8/8. Now out of the topic. Can someone help explain me about do I need or don’t need to write the word “about” in the second sentence before “the topic”?

Wryyyyyy

I will trying to learn grammatical english via youtube. This video has been giving me very good knowledge. So thanks benjamin.

Chamika551

7/8, thanks for this lesson!

Daillyish

Hi Benjamin,

thanks for your lesson.

Could you please explain, why this expression of the question Nr.5 isn´t correct ?

Wesley has been finishing his training since 2018.

Thank you very much.

adrijana

Yeah me too it’s the same question!
And thank you Benjamin ❤

Rrj21WweRaw

Hello,
Let me answer this one for you. :) The reason is pragmatic:

While the sentence is grammatically correct, it is highly unlikely that the pure FINISHING (completion) of the course would take him 2+ years. The following are, however, correct:

Wesley has been trying to finish the course since 2018.
Wesley has been attending the (same) course since 2018.

Verbs that describe a momentary action (in the given context) are not used in the continuous perfect form. However, some can be used in both continuous and simple perfect forms without a change in meaning:

I have worked / I have been working in NYC for a year now.

Same goes for:
study, live, teach, learn,
rain (in negative: It hasn’t rained/It hasn’t been raining for several weeks. BTW for “snow” the same would not work :-) I’d say because snowing is a less common thing),
hope, stand, sit, stay, look, sleep, wait, want (want is however less common in continuous perfect form).

Cheers, David

David

Note: by “the same goes for” I mean, that those verbs I listed can be used in both perfect forms interchangeably without a change in meaning.

David

I got 7 correct out of 8. Thanks for the practical lesson. If one can use past tense and present perfect tense naturally, he/she may already are at an advanced level of English

Insoo Yeo

7/8thanks for your effort

nevertary

thank you very much

NMS asma

Thanks Benjamin ;)

knopfler86

Got a perfect answer! Thanks Ben.

Avocado

Surprisingly I got 10/10. Thank you, Benjamin!

mirkinoid

that was quite interesting

sana al adwan

thank you teacher i get 75% for this lesson

vincent kwibe

Thank you!

Juana Backer

my result is 7/8. thank you.

yousef libyan

I have big troubles with understanding differences between these tenses. 7/8 (my wrong answer was number 6)

Bitaly

Thanks

airsidesafety

I got 8/8, actually i usually confusing about use to present perfect and I know present perfect that it use a lot in fact and conversation everyday, that is more popular past simple. Thank Benjamin and hope you make this topic again sometime

nguyen van long

My score:
8 from 8 :)
thanks Benjamin
You are great

Gayane Harutyunyan

Hi Benjamin,
I have some questions.
1.Did you make this video in 2019?
2.I’ve noticed that you were a slightly distracted while recording this video. Isn’t it?