SIMPLE PAST OR PRESENT PERFECT

1
SIMPLE PAST OR PRESENT PERFECT?

• A DIDACTIC SUPPORT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT USE Of THE
  TWO TENSES

Teacher Mrs. Francesca Garito
a.s. 2002/2003
2
When to use the simple past

• For a past action when the time is given
• Or when the time is asked about
• When the action clearly took place at a definite
  time even though this time is not given

When did you get your last good mark?
Ehm2 years ago!
3
When to use the present perfect

• When we talk about a period of time that
  continues from the past until now.
• With just, already, yet, recently, lately,
  today,etc.,or with a word or phrase denoting an
  uncomplete period of time.

Have you ever eaten a mouse
Not yet
4
Remember

• The Present Perfect tells us something about now
• The Past Simple tells us only about the past
• Examples Jack grew a beard but now he has shaved
  it off. (he doesnt have a beard now)
• They went out after lunch and theyve just come
  back (they are back now)

5
WHAT ABOUT ITALIAN?

• In spoken Italian the use of the Passato remoto
  (Simple Past) is outdated
• To express an action which took place in a remote
  as well as in a recent past the Italians use the
  Passato prossimo (Present Perfect)

Perché non mi hai portato alla festa ieri sera?
Perché mi sono dimenticato che esisti
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BE CAREFUL!

• When you translate from Italian into English pay
  attention to the time of the action.
• If there is an adverb of past time (yesterday,1
  hour ago,etc), use the Simple Past, even if
  spoken Italian uses Passato Prossimo.
• If there is no connection with the present, do
  not use the Present Perfect. (Ex. I Cinesi hanno
  inventato la stampa
• The Chinese invented printing)