Compare the use of the Past Simple and the Present Perfect tense-forms

1. Ann bought herself a new dress yesterday. She paid 30 pounds for it.

2. Have a look. I've just bought a lovely pair of shoes.

3. Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium and in 1903 won the Nobel Prize.

4. The police haven't found the boy yet. He disappeared 3 days ago.

5. How many times have you been in love? When did you fall in love first?

6. Ron hasn't studied much this term.

7. When did they get married? - Last year. So they have been married for about a year.

8. Chemistry has never been my favourite subject. I liked Maths when I studied at school.

9. Sam hasn't drunk alcohol since he got into a car accident.

10. I bought everything I needed and went straight home.

11. I have bought a new car. - But where's the car you bought last year?

12. That's where I used to live in my childhood.

13. Where is your key? - / don't know. I'm afraid I've lost it. - But when did you see it last?

14. Peter was meeting someone that night so I stayed at the office and worked Jor a few extra hours.

PRACTICE

Choose between the Present Perfect and the Past Simple tense-forms.

1. Hello, Mr... er... Mr - I'm sorry, \ forgot/have forgotten your name.

2. News just came in/has just come in of an earthquake in Southern Mangrovia. According to the first reports the quake struck/has struck just after midnight last night.

3. Alice bought/has bought a new car. - Really? Where did she get/has she got the money?

4. I have often wondered/often wondered what he does for a living.

5. He was/has been ill before Christmas, but he has been/ was fine since then.

6. Things have been/were difficult since Sharon has lost/ lost her job.

7. Paul was/has been keen on music since childhood.

8. Did you two meet/Have you two met before? David, this is Ann.

9. Did you see/Have you seen Jane by any chance? There's a letter for her.

10. This is the only occasion that I have seen/saw him wearing a tie.