Present Perfect vs. Past
What is the difference?
Past Simple
Finished time. Dead. No connection to now.
Present Perfect
Unfinished time. Alive. Connects past to now.
PAST TIME 🔴
Yesterday
Last week
In 2010
2 days ago
When I was young
Last week
In 2010
2 days ago
When I was young
PERFECT TIME 🟢
Just
Yet / Already
Ever / Never
Since / For
Recently
Yet / Already
Ever / Never
Since / For
Recently
Comparisons (ការប្រៀបធៀប)
I lost my key yesterday.
ខ្ញុំបានបាត់សោរ (កាលពីម្សិលមិញ)
I have lost my key.
ខ្ញុំបាត់សោរ (ឥឡូវនៅតែបាត់)
⚠️ Note:
If you say WHEN (yesterday, at 2pm), you MUST use Past Simple.
Travel Talk ✈️
Experience vs. Specific Trip
Sok 🧑
Have you ever been to Thailand?
Vibol 👨
Yes, I have. I have been there three times.
Sok 🧑
When did you go last time?
Vibol 👨
I went in 2019. It was fun.
🔍 Analysis:
- First question = Experience (Any time in life) ➔ Present Perfect.
- Second question = Specific Time (Last time/2019) ➔ Past Simple.
Check the Time ⏰
Look for signal words!
I ___ sushi yesterday.
She ___ her homework already.
___ you ever seen a ghost?
Mission 📝
Write about your life!
1. Experience (Life)
Write 2 things you have done in your life.
Ex: I have eaten pizza.
Ex: I have visited Siem Reap.
Ex: I have visited Siem Reap.
2. Specific Past (Finished)
Write when you did it.
Ex: I ate pizza last week.
Ex: I visited Siem Reap in 2020.
Ex: I visited Siem Reap in 2020.