Past & Present Perfect Tense

As you have learned, the Past Tense is used with situations or events that occurred in the past time. The Present Perfect is connected to the past time; but, more importantly, it is concerned with the effect of the past on the present.

Compare the examples below.

I was a girl.

I have been a woman for several years. In fact, I have been a woman since 2013.

In the first example, it is clear that Miley is no longer a girl. The past is the past and is not relevant to the present time.

However, although Miley became an adult woman in 2013 (the past), she is still an adult woman in the present time. The past is relevant in the present time.

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Select the BEST answer for each conversation below.

Conversation #1

Mom: You didn't eat your breakfast.
Arnold:

[a] Yes, I did. Kassandra pushed her plate in front of me.

[b] Yes, I have. I love bacon and eggs for breakfast.

Conversation #2

Diana to Brittney: Do you want to choose Sue or Chelsea?
Brittney to Diana: Chelsea's taller.
Sue:

[a] I beat Chelsea before.

[b] I've beaten Chelsea before.

Conversation #3

Sana: You had a date with Florian last night. How did it go?
Sakura:

[a] He tried to kiss me.

[b] He has tried to kiss me.

Conversation #4

Mom: When are you going to do your homework?
Donald:

[a] I did my homework.

[b] I've already done my homework.

Conversation #5

Betul: The pilot just passed out. Who's going to fly the airplane?
Ersin:

[a] I flew in flight school.

[b] I've flown an airplane before.

Conversation #6

Misato: You're going to Japan by yourself? Are you OK?
Len:

[a] I lived there before.

[b] I've lived there before.

Conversation #7

Sabina: I heard a noise. What happened here?
Len:

[a] Jeff stepped on the cat's tail.

[b] Jeff has stepped on the cat's tail.

Conversation #8

Rawand: Can you cook dinner for your girlfriend?
Abel:

[a] I did it before.

[b] I have before.

Conversation #9

Ksenia: Does anyone know anything about Gaetano's restaurant?
Len:

[a] I was there.

[b] I've been there.

Conversation #10

Yeni: What happened to your nose?
Nikita:

[a] I got into a fight with my girlfriend.

[b] I've been in a fight with my girlfriend.

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