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”.
Test your understanding of the English lesson by answering these questions. You will get the answers and your score at the end of the quiz.
25 COMMENTS
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?
marcin95
thanks for lesson
hadmokhtar
Video time: 9’12” Benjamin said (past simple) “WENT” is the past participle of the verb to go.
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25 COMMENTS
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”?
I will trying to learn grammatical english via youtube. This video has been giving me very good knowledge. So thanks benjamin.
7/8, thanks for this lesson!
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.
Yeah me too it’s the same question!
And thank you Benjamin ❤
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
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.
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
7/8thanks for your effort
thank you very much
Thanks Benjamin ;)
Got a perfect answer! Thanks Ben.
Surprisingly I got 10/10. Thank you, Benjamin!
that was quite interesting
thank you teacher i get 75% for this lesson
Thank you!
my result is 7/8. thank you.
I have big troubles with understanding differences between these tenses. 7/8 (my wrong answer was number 6)
Thanks
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
My score:
8 from 8 :)
thanks Benjamin
You are great
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?
thanks for lesson
Video time: 9’12” Benjamin said (past simple) “WENT” is the past participle of the verb to go.
8/8
Benjamin, thank you for you job!!