⚙️ Lesson 4: Present Perfect vs. Past Simple
Welcome to one of the most important lessons in English grammar! The difference between the Present Perfect and the Past Simple causes a lot of confusion1 for learners. Today, we will learn the key differences so you can choose the correct tense with confidence.
The golden rule is: Past Simple is for actions finished at a specific2 past time. Present Perfect is for actions with a connection to the present.
Difference 1: Finished Time vs. Unfinished Time
The first question to ask yourself is: "Is the time period finished?"
- Past Simple (Finished Time): We use it with time expressions that are over, like
yesterday,last week,in 2020, orfive minutes ago.
Example: "I visited Phnom Sampeau last month." (Last month is completely finished.) - Present Perfect (Unfinished Time): We use it with time expressions that are still continuing, like
today,this week, orthis year.
Example: "I have visited Phnom Sampeau twice this year." (This year is not finished yet; maybe I will visit again.)
Difference 2: Specific Time vs. Unspecified Time
The next question to ask is: "Is the exact time important?"
- Past Simple (Specific Time): We say *when* the action happened.
Example: "She bought her krama at Psar Nat on Saturday." (We know the specific day.) - Present Perfect (Unspecified3 Time): We don't say when. The experience or the result4 is more important than the time.
Example: "She has bought a new krama." (The result is important: she has a krama now. When she bought it is not mentioned.)
Conversation Example in Battambang
This common conversation shows the difference perfectly.
Visitor: Have you ever seen the bats at Phnom Sampeau? (Present Perfect for an unspecified life experience)
Guide: Yes, of course. I saw them last night! (Past Simple for a specific, finished time)
Quick Guide to Signal Words
Look for these signal words5 to help you choose the correct tense!
- yesterday
- ... ago
- last ...
- in 2010
- when I was...
- for / since
- already / yet / just
- ever / never
- today
- this ...
🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Tense
Read the sentence and choose the correct verb form.
- I _______ to the Bamboo Train yesterday.
Answer: went (The signal word 'yesterday' indicates a finished past time.) - She _______ in Battambang since she was a child.
Answer: has lived (The signal word 'since' indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present.) - _______ you ever eaten that restaurant's famous noodles?
Answer: Have (The signal word 'ever' asks about a life experience.) - I _______ my wallet! Now I can't pay for my coffee.
Answer: have lost (The action has a result in the present.) - They _______ married three years ago.
Answer: got (The signal phrase 'three years ago' indicates a specific, finished past time.)
📝 Homework: Find the Mistake
Each sentence below has a mistake. Find it and write the correct sentence.
- Incorrect: I have seen him at Psar Nat yesterday.
Correct: I saw him at Psar Nat yesterday. (Reason: 'yesterday' requires Past Simple.) - Incorrect: She didn't visit her grandmother this week.
Correct: She hasn't visited her grandmother this week. (Reason: 'this week' is an unfinished time.) - Incorrect: When have you bought that beautiful painting?
Correct: When did you buy that beautiful painting? (Reason: 'When...?' asks for a specific past time, so it needs Past Simple.)
Vocabulary Glossary
- Confusion: (Noun) - ការភាន់ច្រឡំ (kaa phoăn'chrâ'lâm) - A situation where you do not understand what is happening or what to do. ↩
- Specific: (Adjective) - ជាក់លាក់ (cheăk'leăk) - Clearly defined or identified; particular and exact. ↩
- Unspecified: (Adjective) - មិនជាក់លាក់ (mĭn cheăk'leăk) - Not stated clearly or exactly. ↩
- Result: (Noun) - លទ្ធផល (lŏt'thâ'phól) - A consequence, effect, or outcome of something. ↩
- Signal Word: (Phrase) - ពាក្យសញ្ញា (péak sânh'nha) - A word that gives a clue or hint about which grammar tense to use. ↩