Past indefinite tense vs Present perfect tense

Hello learners!

In this lesson, we are going to understand when to use simple past tense, that is also called past indefinite tense, and when to use Present perfect tense. This is one of the most confusing topics we have in English. Let's understand it today.

Both Simple past tense and Present perfect tense are used to talk about actions that happened in the past. But they're used in different contexts, different situations, talk about the difference.

1. Past time marker

Simple past tense is used to talk about actions that happened in the past at a particular point of time. So we use past time markers: words that show fast time with Simple past tense. When the action happened is very important in Simple past tense. But you can't use Present perfect tense with past time markers. Let's take some examples:

Past simple: I bought a car last night. (Correct)

Present perfect: I have bought a car last night. (Incorrect)
2. Life experiences and accomplishments

Whenever you want to talk about your life experiences and achievements, always use Present perfect tense. Whenever you simple past tense to talk about life experiences and achievements.

Present perfect: I have eaten raw meat. (Correct)

Past simple: I ate raw meat. (Incorrect)

3. Continued actions

Present perfect tense is also used to talk about actions that have been happening for some time. You can't use Simple past tense for the same.

Present simple: I have lived your for 10 years.

( It means, I started living here 10 years back, and I still live here on this very day.)

Past simple: I lived here for 10 years.

( It means the action completed.)

4. Unfinished time words

These are some unfinished time words: today, this week, this weekend, this month, this year etc.

Present perfect: I haven't received my salary this month. (correct)

Simple past: I didn't receive my salary this month. (incorrect).

Видео Past indefinite tense vs Present perfect tense канала Ashish Sharma