♦️ 1- An action that happened (or never happened) before another action in the past:
a- When we arrived, the film had started.
(= 1st the film started, 2nd we arrived)
b- My father retired last year. He had worked for the same company all his life.
(= 1st he worked, 2nd he retired)
c- I had never met her before yesterday's party.
(( We usually use the past perfect to make it clear which action happened first. Maybe we are already talking about something in the past and we want to mention something else that is further back in time. This is often used to explain or give a reasons for something in the past.))
a- It had felt ill in the night, so I didn't go to school.
(= 1st I felt ill, 2nd I did not go to school)
♦️ 2- An action that happened before a specific time in the past:
a- By 2000, many people had emigrated because of starvation.
(People had emigrated before 2000)
b- She had got married by the time she was 22 years old.
(She got married before she was 22 years old)
(( Something that started in the past and continued up to another action or time in the past. The past perfect tells us 'how long', just like the present perfect, but this time the action continues up to a point in the past rather than the present. Usually we use 'for + time'. We can also use the past perfect continuous here, so we most often use the past perfect simple with stative verbs.))
a- When he graduated, he had been in London for six years.
(= He arrived in London six years before he graduated and lived there until he graduated, or even longer.)
b- On the 20th of July, I had worked here for three months.
♦️ 3- Third conditional + wish
To talk about unreal or imaginary things in the past. In the same way that we use the past simple to talk about unreal or imaginary things in the present, we use the past perfect (one step back in time) to talk about unreal things in the past. This is common in the 'third conditional' and after 'wish'.
a- She would have passed the exam if she had studied harder.
b- I wish I hadn't gone to bed so late!
♦️ chronological order of tenses with "before", "after" and "by"
- Simple Past after Past Perfect:
a- He watched TV after he had finished his homework.
- Past Perfect before Simple Past:
a- She had cooked before she went out with her friends.
- Past Perfect by Simple Past:
a- They had already left by the time we arrived.
♦️1- Remember:♦️
There is no need to use the Past Perfect with "before" or "after". We can use the Simple Past in both clauses because the relationship between the two actions is already clear with "before" and "after".
a- She had not finished cleaning the house before the guests arrived.
or
b- She did not finish cleaning the house before the quests arrived.
♦️2- Remember:♦️
With the adverb of time "when", if the Simple Past tense is used in both clauses, then the the verb in the "when-clause" is the verb that happens first:
a- When I arrived, we had dinner.
(1st- I arrived, 2nd we had dinner)
b- When I arrived home, my mother cooked dinner.
(1st- I arrived, 2nd my mother cooked)
But, when we use the Past Perfect in one of the two clauses, then the Past Perfect verb is the verb that happens first.
a- When I arrived, they had had dinner.
(1st- they had had dinner, 2nd I arrived)
b- When I arrived home, my mother had cooked dinner.
(1st- had cooked, 2nd I arrived)
♦️3- Remember:♦️
Don't use the Past Perfect Tense if you don't have a Simple Past Action / Time that you need to go further back in time before it.
- I had finished my homework. (seems unnatural)
- I had finished my homework before I watched TV. (more natural)
a- When we arrived, the film had started.
(= 1st the film started, 2nd we arrived)
b- My father retired last year. He had worked for the same company all his life.
(= 1st he worked, 2nd he retired)
c- I had never met her before yesterday's party.
(( We usually use the past perfect to make it clear which action happened first. Maybe we are already talking about something in the past and we want to mention something else that is further back in time. This is often used to explain or give a reasons for something in the past.))
a- It had felt ill in the night, so I didn't go to school.
(= 1st I felt ill, 2nd I did not go to school)
♦️ 2- An action that happened before a specific time in the past:
a- By 2000, many people had emigrated because of starvation.
(People had emigrated before 2000)
b- She had got married by the time she was 22 years old.
(She got married before she was 22 years old)
(( Something that started in the past and continued up to another action or time in the past. The past perfect tells us 'how long', just like the present perfect, but this time the action continues up to a point in the past rather than the present. Usually we use 'for + time'. We can also use the past perfect continuous here, so we most often use the past perfect simple with stative verbs.))
a- When he graduated, he had been in London for six years.
(= He arrived in London six years before he graduated and lived there until he graduated, or even longer.)
b- On the 20th of July, I had worked here for three months.
♦️ 3- Third conditional + wish
To talk about unreal or imaginary things in the past. In the same way that we use the past simple to talk about unreal or imaginary things in the present, we use the past perfect (one step back in time) to talk about unreal things in the past. This is common in the 'third conditional' and after 'wish'.
a- She would have passed the exam if she had studied harder.
b- I wish I hadn't gone to bed so late!
♦️ chronological order of tenses with "before", "after" and "by"
- Simple Past after Past Perfect:
a- He watched TV after he had finished his homework.
- Past Perfect before Simple Past:
a- She had cooked before she went out with her friends.
- Past Perfect by Simple Past:
a- They had already left by the time we arrived.
♦️1- Remember:♦️
There is no need to use the Past Perfect with "before" or "after". We can use the Simple Past in both clauses because the relationship between the two actions is already clear with "before" and "after".
a- She had not finished cleaning the house before the guests arrived.
or
b- She did not finish cleaning the house before the quests arrived.
♦️2- Remember:♦️
With the adverb of time "when", if the Simple Past tense is used in both clauses, then the the verb in the "when-clause" is the verb that happens first:
a- When I arrived, we had dinner.
(1st- I arrived, 2nd we had dinner)
b- When I arrived home, my mother cooked dinner.
(1st- I arrived, 2nd my mother cooked)
But, when we use the Past Perfect in one of the two clauses, then the Past Perfect verb is the verb that happens first.
a- When I arrived, they had had dinner.
(1st- they had had dinner, 2nd I arrived)
b- When I arrived home, my mother had cooked dinner.
(1st- had cooked, 2nd I arrived)
♦️3- Remember:♦️
Don't use the Past Perfect Tense if you don't have a Simple Past Action / Time that you need to go further back in time before it.
- I had finished my homework. (seems unnatural)
- I had finished my homework before I watched TV. (more natural)
⚡️Further Notes on the differences between Present Perfect and Past Simple⚡️
♦️ Use the simple past when the action started in the past, finished in the past, and is not continuing now.
♦️ Use the present perfect when the action started in the past and is continuing now (or even if it has finished, usually finishes in the recent past and has a result on now).
The simple past tells us that an action happened at a certain time in the past, and is not continuing anymore. It tells us when an action happened, so more information needs to be given with this verb form, such as when the action took place.
The present perfect tells us that an action started in the past and it is still happening now, or it is something that happens regularly. We may need more information to tell us how long it has been going on. It may also tell us that the time period it started in is still going on.
The following example sentences show the different meanings when using the two verb tenses.
♦️ The sun rose at 6:00 am.
(Simple Past: We know that the sun came up at a time in the past and it is not rising now. The sun may or may not be in the sky when this statement is made. The time is important to add.)
♦️ The sun has risen.
(Present perfect: We know that the sun already rose, and it is still in the sky now.)
♦️ Jackson ate lunch early.
(Simple Past: Eating lunch has started and ended in the past. Someone might say this when the time for eating lunch has also ended. Lunch happened early, and it is over now.)
♦️ Jackson has eaten lunch.
(Present Perfect: Jackson started and finished eating lunch in the past, but lunch time is still going on. Someone might say this when others are preparing to eat lunch, and they want to know whether Jackson will join them.)
♦️ Jeff was friends with Kelly when he was a kid.
(Simple Past: This tells us that Jeff is not friends with Kelly anymore, and the additional information tells us when he was friends with her in the past.)
♦️ Jeff has been friends with Kelly since he was a kid.
(Present perfect: This tells us that Jeff was friends with Kelly before now and is still friends with her now. The friendship is continuing, and the additional information tells us how long it has been going on.)
♦️ She lived in Paris for a year.
(Simple Past: This action started and finished in the past. She no longer lives in Paris. It is important to know the action lasted for a year.)
♦️ She has lived in Paris for a year.
(Present perfect: This action started in the past and is still going on now; it has not finished. She lives in Paris now, and additional information tells us how long she has lived there.)
♦️ Laila ran two marathons last year.
(Simple Past: We know Meg ran two marathons in the past, and the time period the action started in and finished in—last year—has ended.)
♦️ Laila has run two marathons this year.
(Present perfect: We know Meg started running marathons this year. However, this year has not ended and she may run more marathons before the end of the year.)
💫💫 The golden rule is that: 💫💫
1- Don't use the Present Perfect with specific past time.
2- Don't use the Present Perfect with finished time periods.
✅ John had breakfast this morning.
(We are now in the afternoon or evening. The morning period is finished.)
✅ John has just had breakfast this morning.
(We are still in the morning period.)
✅ Mozart composed more than 600 pieces of music.
(Mozart is dead, and he no longer composes music.)
❌ Mozart has composed more than 600 pieces of music.
(Mozart is dead but this sentence would suggest that he is still alive. That's why it is an incorrect sentence.)
♦️ Use the simple past when the action started in the past, finished in the past, and is not continuing now.
♦️ Use the present perfect when the action started in the past and is continuing now (or even if it has finished, usually finishes in the recent past and has a result on now).
The simple past tells us that an action happened at a certain time in the past, and is not continuing anymore. It tells us when an action happened, so more information needs to be given with this verb form, such as when the action took place.
The present perfect tells us that an action started in the past and it is still happening now, or it is something that happens regularly. We may need more information to tell us how long it has been going on. It may also tell us that the time period it started in is still going on.
The following example sentences show the different meanings when using the two verb tenses.
♦️ The sun rose at 6:00 am.
(Simple Past: We know that the sun came up at a time in the past and it is not rising now. The sun may or may not be in the sky when this statement is made. The time is important to add.)
♦️ The sun has risen.
(Present perfect: We know that the sun already rose, and it is still in the sky now.)
♦️ Jackson ate lunch early.
(Simple Past: Eating lunch has started and ended in the past. Someone might say this when the time for eating lunch has also ended. Lunch happened early, and it is over now.)
♦️ Jackson has eaten lunch.
(Present Perfect: Jackson started and finished eating lunch in the past, but lunch time is still going on. Someone might say this when others are preparing to eat lunch, and they want to know whether Jackson will join them.)
♦️ Jeff was friends with Kelly when he was a kid.
(Simple Past: This tells us that Jeff is not friends with Kelly anymore, and the additional information tells us when he was friends with her in the past.)
♦️ Jeff has been friends with Kelly since he was a kid.
(Present perfect: This tells us that Jeff was friends with Kelly before now and is still friends with her now. The friendship is continuing, and the additional information tells us how long it has been going on.)
♦️ She lived in Paris for a year.
(Simple Past: This action started and finished in the past. She no longer lives in Paris. It is important to know the action lasted for a year.)
♦️ She has lived in Paris for a year.
(Present perfect: This action started in the past and is still going on now; it has not finished. She lives in Paris now, and additional information tells us how long she has lived there.)
♦️ Laila ran two marathons last year.
(Simple Past: We know Meg ran two marathons in the past, and the time period the action started in and finished in—last year—has ended.)
♦️ Laila has run two marathons this year.
(Present perfect: We know Meg started running marathons this year. However, this year has not ended and she may run more marathons before the end of the year.)
💫💫 The golden rule is that: 💫💫
1- Don't use the Present Perfect with specific past time.
2- Don't use the Present Perfect with finished time periods.
✅ John had breakfast this morning.
(We are now in the afternoon or evening. The morning period is finished.)
✅ John has just had breakfast this morning.
(We are still in the morning period.)
✅ Mozart composed more than 600 pieces of music.
(Mozart is dead, and he no longer composes music.)
❌ Mozart has composed more than 600 pieces of music.
(Mozart is dead but this sentence would suggest that he is still alive. That's why it is an incorrect sentence.)
Complete the following sentences using an appropriate tense form.
1. The contractor says he ……………………… the roof by Friday. (finish)
2. I ………………….. you a Barbie doll for your birthday. (give)
3. The summer term …………………. in April. (start)
4. When you phoned I ……………………… in the garage. (work)
5. Rahul ……………….. a window last night. (break)
6. Regularly every summer, she ……………….. in love. (fall)
7. I …………………. James yesterday morning. (see)
8. He …………………. me that he …………………….. to Brazil. (tell, go)
9. As I ………………… down the road, I saw James. (walk)
10. I ………………… in Rome for ten years while I ………………….. a child. (live, be)
Answers
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
1. The contractor says he will have finished the roof by Friday.
2. I will give you a Barbie doll for your birthday.
3. The summer term starts in April.
4. When you phoned I was working in the garage.
5. Rahul broke a window last night.
6. Regularly every summer, she fell in love.
7. I saw James yesterday morning.
8. He told me that he was going to Brazil.
9. As I was walking down the road, I saw James.
10. I lived in Rome for ten years while I was a child.
1. The contractor says he ……………………… the roof by Friday. (finish)
2. I ………………….. you a Barbie doll for your birthday. (give)
3. The summer term …………………. in April. (start)
4. When you phoned I ……………………… in the garage. (work)
5. Rahul ……………….. a window last night. (break)
6. Regularly every summer, she ……………….. in love. (fall)
7. I …………………. James yesterday morning. (see)
8. He …………………. me that he …………………….. to Brazil. (tell, go)
9. As I ………………… down the road, I saw James. (walk)
10. I ………………… in Rome for ten years while I ………………….. a child. (live, be)
Answers
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1. The contractor says he will have finished the roof by Friday.
2. I will give you a Barbie doll for your birthday.
3. The summer term starts in April.
4. When you phoned I was working in the garage.
5. Rahul broke a window last night.
6. Regularly every summer, she fell in love.
7. I saw James yesterday morning.
8. He told me that he was going to Brazil.
9. As I was walking down the road, I saw James.
10. I lived in Rome for ten years while I was a child.
Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of the word given in the brackets.
1. The punch contained only an ……………………. amount of alcohol. (infinite)
2. Temper tantrums in an adult are ……………………. (infant)
3. The speaker’s ………………… remarks almost started a riot. (inflame)
4. His …………………. temper got him in trouble. (inflame)
5. You must get over your ……………………. with her. (infatuate)
6. The crew felt unsafe with an …………………. pilot. (experience)
7. The citizens’ lobby was …………………… in changing the election laws. (influence)
8. A large ……………….. made him independently wealthy. (inherit)
9. He has no ………………… about disagreeing with his boss. (inhibit)
10. Poor management is …………………… to a business. (injury)
Answers
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
1. The punch contained only an infinitesimal amount of alcohol.
2. Temper tantrums in an adult are infantile.
3. The speaker’s inflammatory remarks almost started a riot.
4. His inflammable temper got him in trouble.
5. You must get over your infatuation with her.
6. The crew felt unsafe with an inexperienced pilot.
7. The citizens’ lobby was influential in changing the election laws.
8. A large inheritance made him independently wealthy.
9. He has no inhibitions about disagreeing with his boss.
10. Poor management is injurious to a business.
1. The punch contained only an ……………………. amount of alcohol. (infinite)
2. Temper tantrums in an adult are ……………………. (infant)
3. The speaker’s ………………… remarks almost started a riot. (inflame)
4. His …………………. temper got him in trouble. (inflame)
5. You must get over your ……………………. with her. (infatuate)
6. The crew felt unsafe with an …………………. pilot. (experience)
7. The citizens’ lobby was …………………… in changing the election laws. (influence)
8. A large ……………….. made him independently wealthy. (inherit)
9. He has no ………………… about disagreeing with his boss. (inhibit)
10. Poor management is …………………… to a business. (injury)
Answers
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
1. The punch contained only an infinitesimal amount of alcohol.
2. Temper tantrums in an adult are infantile.
3. The speaker’s inflammatory remarks almost started a riot.
4. His inflammable temper got him in trouble.
5. You must get over your infatuation with her.
6. The crew felt unsafe with an inexperienced pilot.
7. The citizens’ lobby was influential in changing the election laws.
8. A large inheritance made him independently wealthy.
9. He has no inhibitions about disagreeing with his boss.
10. Poor management is injurious to a business.
Warn (a person) of danger, not about danger.
❌Don't say: They were warned about the danger.
✅Say: They were warned of the danger.
Write in ink, not with ink.
❌Don't say: I've written the letter with ink.
✅Say: I've written the letter in ink.
❌Don't say: They were warned about the danger.
✅Say: They were warned of the danger.
Write in ink, not with ink.
❌Don't say: I've written the letter with ink.
✅Say: I've written the letter in ink.
💡Idiom:
To get in/to get on
🧐Means:
To enter or to board a vehicle To get in is used for cars; to get on is used for all other forms of transportation.
✅Examples:
- It's easiest to get in the car from the driver's side. The door on the other side doesn't work well.
- I always get on the bus to work at 34th Street.
To get in/to get on
🧐Means:
To enter or to board a vehicle To get in is used for cars; to get on is used for all other forms of transportation.
✅Examples:
- It's easiest to get in the car from the driver's side. The door on the other side doesn't work well.
- I always get on the bus to work at 34th Street.
Idiom:
To get out of/to get off.
🤔Means:
To leave or to descend from a vehicle.
To get out of is used for cars; to get off is used for all other forms of
transportation.
✅Examples:
- Why don't we stop and get out of the car for a while?
- Helen got off the train at the 42nd Street terminal.
To get out of/to get off.
🤔Means:
To leave or to descend from a vehicle.
To get out of is used for cars; to get off is used for all other forms of
transportation.
✅Examples:
- Why don't we stop and get out of the car for a while?
- Helen got off the train at the 42nd Street terminal.
Translate into, not to.
❌Don't say; Translate this passage to English.
✅Say: Translate this passage into English.
❌Don't say; Translate this passage to English.
✅Say: Translate this passage into English.
Tremble with cold, etc., not from cold. etc.
❌Don't say: The man was trembling from cold.
✅Say :The man was trembling with cold.
❌Don't say: The man was trembling from cold.
✅Say :The man was trembling with cold.
Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of the word given in the brackets.
1. His …………………… clarified the mystery. (explain)
2. The reporter analyzed the situation with great …………………. (clear)
3. The ………………….. of the water made it unfit to drink. (contaminate)
4. She reached her decision after a great deal of …………………. (contemplate)
5. Freedom of speech is a …………………….. right. (constitution)
6. ………………….. in the patient’s chest made breathing difficult. (constrict)
7. All criticism must be ………………….. (construct)
8. Increased ………………… of paper is depleting our forests. (consume)
9. Spreading ugly gossip is ………………… (contempt)
10. Snobs are usually ……………………… of people they feel to be beneath them. (contempt)
Answers
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
1. His explanation clarified the mystery.
2. The reporter analyzed the situation with great clarity.
3. The contamination of the water made it unfit to drink.
4. She reached her decision after a great deal of contemplation.
5. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right.
6. Constriction in the patient’s chest made breathing difficult.
7. All criticism must be constructive.
8. Increased consumption of paper is depleting our forests.
9. Spreading ugly gossip is contemptible.
10. Snobs are usually contemptuous of people they feel to be beneath them.
1. His …………………… clarified the mystery. (explain)
2. The reporter analyzed the situation with great …………………. (clear)
3. The ………………….. of the water made it unfit to drink. (contaminate)
4. She reached her decision after a great deal of …………………. (contemplate)
5. Freedom of speech is a …………………….. right. (constitution)
6. ………………….. in the patient’s chest made breathing difficult. (constrict)
7. All criticism must be ………………….. (construct)
8. Increased ………………… of paper is depleting our forests. (consume)
9. Spreading ugly gossip is ………………… (contempt)
10. Snobs are usually ……………………… of people they feel to be beneath them. (contempt)
Answers
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
1. His explanation clarified the mystery.
2. The reporter analyzed the situation with great clarity.
3. The contamination of the water made it unfit to drink.
4. She reached her decision after a great deal of contemplation.
5. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right.
6. Constriction in the patient’s chest made breathing difficult.
7. All criticism must be constructive.
8. Increased consumption of paper is depleting our forests.
9. Spreading ugly gossip is contemptible.
10. Snobs are usually contemptuous of people they feel to be beneath them.
The words do and make are often confused. Can you use them correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise.
1. It is time I ……………… some traveling. (did / made)
2. Has Peter ………………. his homework? (done / made)
3. Let’s ………………….. a plan. (make / do)
4. Have you ……………………. what I told you? (made / done)
5. She ………………. the kitchen and bathrooms every day. (does / makes)
6. Will this tablecloth ……………….. or should I use another? (do / make)
7. Let’s ……………… a journey this weekend. (make / do)
8. I have ………………. all the necessary arrangements for the party. (made / done)
9. One must ……………….. one’s duty. (do / make)
10. Will you ………………… me a favor? (do / make)
Answers
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1. It is time I did some traveling.
2. Has Peter done his homework?
3. Let’s make a plan.
4. Have you done what I told you?
5. She does the kitchen and bathrooms every day.
6. Will this tablecloth do or should I use another?
7. Let’s make a journey this weekend.
8. I have made all the necessary arrangements for the party.
9. One must do one’s duty.
10. Will you do me a favor?
1. It is time I ……………… some traveling. (did / made)
2. Has Peter ………………. his homework? (done / made)
3. Let’s ………………….. a plan. (make / do)
4. Have you ……………………. what I told you? (made / done)
5. She ………………. the kitchen and bathrooms every day. (does / makes)
6. Will this tablecloth ……………….. or should I use another? (do / make)
7. Let’s ……………… a journey this weekend. (make / do)
8. I have ………………. all the necessary arrangements for the party. (made / done)
9. One must ……………….. one’s duty. (do / make)
10. Will you ………………… me a favor? (do / make)
Answers
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
1. It is time I did some traveling.
2. Has Peter done his homework?
3. Let’s make a plan.
4. Have you done what I told you?
5. She does the kitchen and bathrooms every day.
6. Will this tablecloth do or should I use another?
7. Let’s make a journey this weekend.
8. I have made all the necessary arrangements for the party.
9. One must do one’s duty.
10. Will you do me a favor?
Tie to, not on
❌Don't say ; The girl tied the string on the kite.
✅ Say : The girl tied the string to the kite.
❌Don't say ; The girl tied the string on the kite.
✅ Say : The girl tied the string to the kite.
Tired of, not from.
❌Don't say: The boys are tired from eating boiled eggs.
✅ Say :The boys are tired of eating boiled eggs.
❌Don't say: The boys are tired from eating boiled eggs.
✅ Say :The boys are tired of eating boiled eggs.
⚡️Further Notes on the differences between Present Perfect and Past Simple⚡️
Remember:
1- We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the present.
❌ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He lost it.
✅ (Tom has his book now.) He lost it.
2- We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening now OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
❌ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He lost it.
✅ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He has lost it.
3- We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word (specific time):
❌ I've been to the museum yesterday.
✅ I went to the museum yesterday.
4- The Present Perfect is connected in someway to the present while the Past Simple is not at all::
✅ She has gone to London. (She must be in London now).
✅ She went to London. (She may or may not be in London now).
5- We cannot use a specific time with the present perfect tense, but we can tell how many times.
- We have gone camping twice.
6- We can also tell the number of times with past tense sentences. We usually do this when we are telling the number of times and a specific time.
- I visited Australia two times in 2015.
7- Sometimes, the present perfect can be used for things that finished very recently. In these situations, we can use either the past tense or the present perfect tense.
Both "just or recently" can be used in the Present Perfect and Past Simple while the adverb "lately" can be used in the Present Perfect ONLY.
- The company just announced their sales results. (Past Tense)
- The company has just announced their sales results. (Present Perfect)
8- If there is no specific time, then we can use both. They have the same basic meaning.
- I went there.
- I have been there.
Remember:
1- We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the present.
❌ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He lost it.
✅ (Tom has his book now.) He lost it.
2- We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening now OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
❌ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He lost it.
✅ (Tom doesn't have his book now.) He has lost it.
3- We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word (specific time):
❌ I've been to the museum yesterday.
✅ I went to the museum yesterday.
4- The Present Perfect is connected in someway to the present while the Past Simple is not at all::
✅ She has gone to London. (She must be in London now).
✅ She went to London. (She may or may not be in London now).
5- We cannot use a specific time with the present perfect tense, but we can tell how many times.
- We have gone camping twice.
6- We can also tell the number of times with past tense sentences. We usually do this when we are telling the number of times and a specific time.
- I visited Australia two times in 2015.
7- Sometimes, the present perfect can be used for things that finished very recently. In these situations, we can use either the past tense or the present perfect tense.
Both "just or recently" can be used in the Present Perfect and Past Simple while the adverb "lately" can be used in the Present Perfect ONLY.
- The company just announced their sales results. (Past Tense)
- The company has just announced their sales results. (Present Perfect)
8- If there is no specific time, then we can use both. They have the same basic meaning.
- I went there.
- I have been there.
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For questions and suggestions, you can contact us via:
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⚡️Further Notes on the differences between For and Since⚡️
The use of FOR
We use "For" when we measure the duration – when we say how long something lasts.
For + the length of a period of time
♦️To measure a period of time up to the present, we use the present perfect tense and not the present tense.
- I have known her for a long time. (Correct)
- I know her for a long time. (Incorrect)
- I have lived here for ten years. (Correct)
- I live here for ten years. (Incorrect)
♦️Notice: The present tense with "For" refers to a period of time that extends into the future.
- How long are you here for? (Until when in the future)
- How long have you been here for? (Since when in the past)
♦️Notice: In reality, we can use all verb tenses with "For":
- They exercise for two hours every day. (Simple Present)
- They are exercising for three hours today. (Present Continuous)
- He has lived in Moscow for a long time. (Present Perfect)
- He has been living in Turin for three months. (Present Perfect Continuous)
- I worked at the service station for five years. (Simple Past)
- He will be in hospital for at least a week. (Simple Future)
The use of SINCE
♦️"Since" gives the starting point of actions, events or states. It refers to when things began. After "since" you always see a Simple Past time marker (not a length of a period of time).
- She has been watching TV for three hours. ("three hours" is not a simple past time marker. It is a period of time. So, we must use "for" not "since".)
- She has been watching TV since 03:00 p.m. ("03:00 p.m." is a simple past time marker. So, we must use "since" not "for".)
♦️"Since" + a point in time (in the past), until now.
- I've been waiting since 7 o'clock.
- I have known him since January.
With since we use the present perfect tenses or the past perfect tenses.
- I have been here since 5 o'clock and I am getting tired.
- I had been working since 5 o'clock and I was getting tired.
♦️Since can also be used in the structure It has been + period of time + since.
- It has been two months since I last saw her. (Remember: "I last saw her" is simple past, so we use "since")
- It has been three years since the last earthquake.
♦️♦️♦️SUMMERIZATION♦️♦️♦️
♦️ "FOR" to mention a specific period (or duration) of time.
I have been a doctor for fifteen years. (duration = 15 years)
♦️"SINCE" to mention the starting point of a period of time (continues to now).
I have been a doctor since 1992. (starting point = 1992)
♦️ Both "For" and "Since" are most commonly used with the perfect tense - we don't use these expressions in the present tense.
- I have learnt Russian for three years. (correct)
- I learn Russian for three years. (incorrect)
♦️While we can use "For" in the Simple Past tense, we can't use "Since" in the Simple Past tense. "Since" can only be used in the perfect tenses.
- She went to Japan for three years. (correct)
- She went to Japan since 2003. (incorrect)
♦️ It worth mentioning that both "For" and "Since" have other meanings in English that are not associated with time.
- This is for you.
- Is this the train for London?
- Since you asked, I'll say yes.
- Since he didn't study, he didn't pass the exam
The use of FOR
We use "For" when we measure the duration – when we say how long something lasts.
For + the length of a period of time
♦️To measure a period of time up to the present, we use the present perfect tense and not the present tense.
- I have known her for a long time. (Correct)
- I know her for a long time. (Incorrect)
- I have lived here for ten years. (Correct)
- I live here for ten years. (Incorrect)
♦️Notice: The present tense with "For" refers to a period of time that extends into the future.
- How long are you here for? (Until when in the future)
- How long have you been here for? (Since when in the past)
♦️Notice: In reality, we can use all verb tenses with "For":
- They exercise for two hours every day. (Simple Present)
- They are exercising for three hours today. (Present Continuous)
- He has lived in Moscow for a long time. (Present Perfect)
- He has been living in Turin for three months. (Present Perfect Continuous)
- I worked at the service station for five years. (Simple Past)
- He will be in hospital for at least a week. (Simple Future)
The use of SINCE
♦️"Since" gives the starting point of actions, events or states. It refers to when things began. After "since" you always see a Simple Past time marker (not a length of a period of time).
- She has been watching TV for three hours. ("three hours" is not a simple past time marker. It is a period of time. So, we must use "for" not "since".)
- She has been watching TV since 03:00 p.m. ("03:00 p.m." is a simple past time marker. So, we must use "since" not "for".)
♦️"Since" + a point in time (in the past), until now.
- I've been waiting since 7 o'clock.
- I have known him since January.
With since we use the present perfect tenses or the past perfect tenses.
- I have been here since 5 o'clock and I am getting tired.
- I had been working since 5 o'clock and I was getting tired.
♦️Since can also be used in the structure It has been + period of time + since.
- It has been two months since I last saw her. (Remember: "I last saw her" is simple past, so we use "since")
- It has been three years since the last earthquake.
♦️♦️♦️SUMMERIZATION♦️♦️♦️
♦️ "FOR" to mention a specific period (or duration) of time.
I have been a doctor for fifteen years. (duration = 15 years)
♦️"SINCE" to mention the starting point of a period of time (continues to now).
I have been a doctor since 1992. (starting point = 1992)
♦️ Both "For" and "Since" are most commonly used with the perfect tense - we don't use these expressions in the present tense.
- I have learnt Russian for three years. (correct)
- I learn Russian for three years. (incorrect)
♦️While we can use "For" in the Simple Past tense, we can't use "Since" in the Simple Past tense. "Since" can only be used in the perfect tenses.
- She went to Japan for three years. (correct)
- She went to Japan since 2003. (incorrect)
♦️ It worth mentioning that both "For" and "Since" have other meanings in English that are not associated with time.
- This is for you.
- Is this the train for London?
- Since you asked, I'll say yes.
- Since he didn't study, he didn't pass the exam
Simple and Present Perfect Continuous Tenses⚡️
♦️(1) When we want to express, ask or tell "how long" or the "time duration" of an action, the Present Perfect Continuous would be more natural:
a - He has been learning English since 2002.
b- They have been watching TV for two hours.
BUT REMEBER:
Some verbs express "state" not "action"; therefore, we use the Present Perfect Simple not the Continuous which "State Verbs" that we have discussed earlier in our course:
a- We have known each other since 2002.
b- I have had a car for two years.
To conclude:
- Dynamic implies change (action)
- Stative implies no change (state)
1. Most verbs in English are dynamic: work, live, eat, etc.
2. A small group of verbs are stative: (know, understand, etc.).
3. Exceptions to the rule: some verbs can be used in a dual sense i.e. a stative or a dynamic sense:
"be": although "be" is generally stative it can have a temporary dynamic sense: My boss is being nasty.
The verb <live> can be used in a stative sense when it means to "stay" or "be alive" i.e. a state: He didn't live to see the realization of his dream. All other meanings are dynamic.
The verb "come" is another example compare:
I come from Germany (stative: I am from Germany)
I am coming from Germany (dynamic: travelling).
It measures four metres. (stative)
He is measuring the car. (dynamic)
4. Sometimes you make a stative verb dynamic to add emphasis only:
I hope she...
I am hoping she.... (dynamic: hope very much).
Final Note:
The verbs "live", "work" and "smoke" are usually said to be treated as stative verbs not actions.
♦️(2) In negative sentences, it's more natural to use the Present Perfect Simple not the Present Perfect Continuous. If you remember, the Present Perfect Simple expresses an action that has started and finished or never happened before. The Continuous expresses an action that has started before now and has been continuing up until now.
So, there is no need to focus on the duration of a verb that is has not happened at all:
- I have not played music before. (correct)
- I have not been playing music before. (unnatural)
♦️(1) When we want to express, ask or tell "how long" or the "time duration" of an action, the Present Perfect Continuous would be more natural:
a - He has been learning English since 2002.
b- They have been watching TV for two hours.
BUT REMEBER:
Some verbs express "state" not "action"; therefore, we use the Present Perfect Simple not the Continuous which "State Verbs" that we have discussed earlier in our course:
a- We have known each other since 2002.
b- I have had a car for two years.
To conclude:
- Dynamic implies change (action)
- Stative implies no change (state)
1. Most verbs in English are dynamic: work, live, eat, etc.
2. A small group of verbs are stative: (know, understand, etc.).
3. Exceptions to the rule: some verbs can be used in a dual sense i.e. a stative or a dynamic sense:
"be": although "be" is generally stative it can have a temporary dynamic sense: My boss is being nasty.
The verb <live> can be used in a stative sense when it means to "stay" or "be alive" i.e. a state: He didn't live to see the realization of his dream. All other meanings are dynamic.
The verb "come" is another example compare:
I come from Germany (stative: I am from Germany)
I am coming from Germany (dynamic: travelling).
It measures four metres. (stative)
He is measuring the car. (dynamic)
4. Sometimes you make a stative verb dynamic to add emphasis only:
I hope she...
I am hoping she.... (dynamic: hope very much).
Final Note:
The verbs "live", "work" and "smoke" are usually said to be treated as stative verbs not actions.
♦️(2) In negative sentences, it's more natural to use the Present Perfect Simple not the Present Perfect Continuous. If you remember, the Present Perfect Simple expresses an action that has started and finished or never happened before. The Continuous expresses an action that has started before now and has been continuing up until now.
So, there is no need to focus on the duration of a verb that is has not happened at all:
- I have not played music before. (correct)
- I have not been playing music before. (unnatural)
⚡️Further reading on the uses of the Past Continuous Tense⚡️
♦️1. an action GOING ON at some time in the past (the time of the action may or may not be indicated):
a. It was getting darker.
b. They were watching TV all evening.
♦️2. to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted by a shorter action. The older and longer action is in the past continuous and the newer and shorter one is in the past simple. (Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time):
a. I was watching TV when she called.
b. The light went out while I was reading.
♦️3. for persistent habits in the past (to concentrate more on the continuity of the habits that they were more than usual):
a. She was always watching TV.
b. They were always arriving late.
♦️4. Parallel Actions: (When you use the past continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time or simultaneously):
a. I was studying while my mother was making lunch.
b. They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
♦️5. Atmosphere or Background actions (We often use the past continuous to describe the atmosphere or background actions at a particular time in the past):
a. The sun was shining when I went out.
b. When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped.
♦️6. Repetition and Irritation with "Always": (The past continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion) (See also: using "always" with the Present Continuous):
a. She was always coming to class late.
b. He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
♦️1. an action GOING ON at some time in the past (the time of the action may or may not be indicated):
a. It was getting darker.
b. They were watching TV all evening.
♦️2. to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted by a shorter action. The older and longer action is in the past continuous and the newer and shorter one is in the past simple. (Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time):
a. I was watching TV when she called.
b. The light went out while I was reading.
♦️3. for persistent habits in the past (to concentrate more on the continuity of the habits that they were more than usual):
a. She was always watching TV.
b. They were always arriving late.
♦️4. Parallel Actions: (When you use the past continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time or simultaneously):
a. I was studying while my mother was making lunch.
b. They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
♦️5. Atmosphere or Background actions (We often use the past continuous to describe the atmosphere or background actions at a particular time in the past):
a. The sun was shining when I went out.
b. When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped.
♦️6. Repetition and Irritation with "Always": (The past continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion) (See also: using "always" with the Present Continuous):
a. She was always coming to class late.
b. He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
♦️Non-continuous Verbs♦️
Non-continuous verbs are verbs that we do not normally use with continuous tenses. These "stative" verbs are about state, not action, and they cannot express the continuous or progressive aspect. Here are some of the most common non-continuous verbs:
♦️Mental and Emotional States♦️
Believe - I believe what you say.
Dislike - She dislikes eating pizza.
Doubt - I doubt what you say is true.
Imagine - He imagines he needs some time off work.
Know - I know Tom very well.
Like - I like watching TV in the evening.
Love - They love to visit friends.
Hate - I hate to see him suffer.
Prefer - They prefer to take tests on Monday.
Realize - She realizes that it was her mistake.
Recognize - Peter recognizes his mistake.
Remember - I remember that day very well.
Suppose - I suppose you are right.
Understand - Tim understands the situation.
Want - I want to wish you well.
Wish - I wish life were easier.
♦️Sense♦️
Appear - It appears to be finished.
Feel - I feel cold now.
Hear - I hear what you are saying.
See - I see that it's difficult.
Seem - It seems rather simple to me.
Smell - It smells like a rat.
Sound - It sounds like a good idea.
Taste - It tastes like almonds.
♦️Communication♦️
Agree - I agree we need to finish the project.
Astonish - He astonishes me every time.
Deny - The criminal denies any wrong doing.
Disagree - I disagree with what you say.
Impress - He impresses his teachers at school.
Mean - I mean that very honestly.
Please - She pleases her students every day in class.
Promise - I promise I'm not telling a lie.
Satisfy - She satisfies all the requirements.
Surprise - It surprises me every time.
♦️Other States♦️
Be - I'm a teacher.
Belong - It belongs to Tom.
Concern - It concerns all of us.
Consist - It consists of chocolate, cream and cookies.
Contain - The letter contains a threat.
Cost - The jeans cost $100.
Depend - It depends on how you look at it.
Deserve - You deserve much better.
Dit - That doesn't fit my schedule.
Include - The vacation includes all meals.
Involve - The job involves lots of travel.
Lack - It lacks any meaning.
Matter - It doesn't matter what you think.
Need - I need some time off.
Owe - He owes you a lot of money.
Own - I own a Porsche.
Possess - Jack possesses all the right skills.
Non-continuous verbs are verbs that we do not normally use with continuous tenses. These "stative" verbs are about state, not action, and they cannot express the continuous or progressive aspect. Here are some of the most common non-continuous verbs:
♦️Mental and Emotional States♦️
Believe - I believe what you say.
Dislike - She dislikes eating pizza.
Doubt - I doubt what you say is true.
Imagine - He imagines he needs some time off work.
Know - I know Tom very well.
Like - I like watching TV in the evening.
Love - They love to visit friends.
Hate - I hate to see him suffer.
Prefer - They prefer to take tests on Monday.
Realize - She realizes that it was her mistake.
Recognize - Peter recognizes his mistake.
Remember - I remember that day very well.
Suppose - I suppose you are right.
Understand - Tim understands the situation.
Want - I want to wish you well.
Wish - I wish life were easier.
♦️Sense♦️
Appear - It appears to be finished.
Feel - I feel cold now.
Hear - I hear what you are saying.
See - I see that it's difficult.
Seem - It seems rather simple to me.
Smell - It smells like a rat.
Sound - It sounds like a good idea.
Taste - It tastes like almonds.
♦️Communication♦️
Agree - I agree we need to finish the project.
Astonish - He astonishes me every time.
Deny - The criminal denies any wrong doing.
Disagree - I disagree with what you say.
Impress - He impresses his teachers at school.
Mean - I mean that very honestly.
Please - She pleases her students every day in class.
Promise - I promise I'm not telling a lie.
Satisfy - She satisfies all the requirements.
Surprise - It surprises me every time.
♦️Other States♦️
Be - I'm a teacher.
Belong - It belongs to Tom.
Concern - It concerns all of us.
Consist - It consists of chocolate, cream and cookies.
Contain - The letter contains a threat.
Cost - The jeans cost $100.
Depend - It depends on how you look at it.
Deserve - You deserve much better.
Dit - That doesn't fit my schedule.
Include - The vacation includes all meals.
Involve - The job involves lots of travel.
Lack - It lacks any meaning.
Matter - It doesn't matter what you think.
Need - I need some time off.
Owe - He owes you a lot of money.
Own - I own a Porsche.
Possess - Jack possesses all the right skills.