What is the difference between present perfect and present simple

Разница между Present Simple и Present Perfect

Английский язык характеризуется достаточно разветвленной системой временных форм. Вследствие этого у студентов могут возникать вопросы касательно того, в каком конкретном случае какую временную форму употреблять.

Поэтому в этой статье мы рассмотрим какая же разница между present simple и present perfect.

Такая путаница обычно возникает при использовании схожих времен. В данном случае оба времени относятся к группе настоящих времен, однако, разобравшись в их значениях и случаях употребления, вы с легкостью сможете выбирать нужную форму.

Перед тем как перейти к сравнительному анализу давайте вспомним, когда употребляется каждое из обозначенных времен.

«картинка с надписью Present Simple»

Когда нужно использовать Present Simple?

Напоминаем, что эта временная форма должна быть использована в речи при упоминании следующей информации:

Когда нужно использовать Present Perfect?

Перед тем как рассмотреть отличие present perfect от present simple, давайте вспомним случаи его употребления.

Классическое правило использования данной временной формы гласит, что она пригодится в тех случаях, когда:

Present Perfect VS Present Simple: Разница

Теперь, когда мы рассмотрели present perfect и present simple, разница кажется очевидной. Тем не менее, давайте перейдем к сравнению обеих временных форм и проговорим разницу еще раз, чтобы у вас не осталось вопросов.

Как вы уже могли понять, Present Perfect всегда имеет связь с прошлым временем. В любом случае действие начиналось или происходило в прошедшем времени. Но при этом всегда есть связь в настоящим, выраженная посредством результата совершившегося действия либо же его продолжением.

Говоря о Present Simple, здесь важно отметить, что оно никак не связано с прошлым.

В этом и заключается принципиальная разница между present simple и present perfect. Время предназначено исключительно для обозначения регулярных действий, происходящих в настоящем времени.

Автор блога: Екатерина Иванова, методолог Lim English

Present Simple vs. Present Perfect. Объясняем за 5 минут

Всем привет! Я — кот Натальи Константиновны (звезды инстаграма Skyeng) и автор рубрики о временах в английском. Я хорошо знаю язык, потому что Наталья Константиновна разрешает мне полежать рядом во время занятий с учениками.

Недавно прочитал в инстаграме, что нужно делать маленькие шажочки каждый день для достижения результата. Чтобы об этом рассказывать, в английском есть два времени — Present Simple и Present Perfect.

Present Simple — факты и то, что мы делаем редко, часто или каждый день

I usually get up at 7 am. Обычно я встаю в 7 утра: вступил в клуб ранних подъемов. Со всеми usually (обычно), often (часто), every day (каждый день) используем Present Simple. Эти слова указывают на частоту.

Я вот недавно проснулся и сразу за работу — нельзя завалить дедлайн. Но мысли путаются, живот урчит. I am hungry. Я голодный, это факт. Для всех фактов — Present Simple. Пойду будить Наталью Константиновну. She likes when I wake her up. Ей нравится, когда я ее бужу. Тоже факт.

Present Perfect — личный опыт и то, что мы уже сделали и получили результат

Моя мечта — стать писателем. Для этого и встаю рано, пишу по чуть-чуть каждый день. I have written one page of my book. Написал одну страницу своей книги. Сделал я это еще неделю назад, но результат — вот он, передо мной, в настоящем. Поэтому Present Perfect.

Но сегодня я еще над книгой не работал. I haven’t worked on book today yet. Если видите yet (еще), already (уже), never (никогда), ever (когда-либо), once (однажды) — это Present Perfect. Такие слова указывают на неопределенность или незавершенность времени.

I have been to London. Я бывал в Лондоне. Не хвастаюсь, просто делюсь личным опытом, который случился со мной когда-то в прошлом. Для этого использую Present Perfect. I have tried fish and chips. Пробовал их знаменитое блюдо — картошку с рыбой. Тоже опыт, самый лучший в моей жизни.

Present Simple vs. Present Perfect

Сейчас я веган, не ем ни рыбу, ни мясо. Даже молоко не пью, забочусь о планете. Вот только рыбу я не ем последние 3 месяца, а мясо вообще никогда не ел.

«I don’t eat fish», — говорю я в Present Simple гостям Натальи Константиновны, если они приносят мне рыбный гостинец. Я не ем рыбу. Пора бы уже запомнить этот факт.

«I’ve never eaten meat», — так я гордо заявляю своим приятелям-котам, когда они меня зовут на шашлыки. Я никогда не ел мясо. Это Present Perfect, потому что never — слово неопределенное. До настоящего момента не ел, но кто знает, что будет дальше. На это и надеются мои друзья.

Бонус для продвинутых

Любопытно, что Present Perfect — это настоящее совершенное время, но переводится на русский чаще всего прошедшим. I have already finished my job for today. Я уже закончил работу на сегодня. Носителям английского важен результат в настоящем — что работа закончена и можно отдохнуть. А нам принципиальнее, что само действие закончилось, — поэтому говорим в прошлом.

Расскажите о себе в комментариях. Что вы делаете каждый день? А в чем уже достигли результата?

Difference between «Present Simple» and «Present Perfect»

I’m really upset. My dress is torn.

I’m really upset. My dress has been torn.

I think these sentences mean the same. But in the active voice, they don’t.

I’m really upset. I tear my dress.

I’m really upset. I have torn my dress.

According to English grammar rules, the present simple tense expresses general ideas.

Why do they mean the same in the passive voice?

1 Answer 1

I’m really upset. My dress is torn

will not usually be read as a passive construction, with torn as the past participle of tear. It will normally be read as a sentence that uses the adjective tear as a subject complement of my dress–similar to My dress is new.

If this answers your question, I’m glad. If this does not answer your question, I’m not sure what you’re asking.

I think your question is

Since in the active voice the simple present refers to a general truth, as opposed to the present perfect, which refers to a specific action; why, then, does this not apply to the passive forms?

My answer is that this does apply to the passive forms.

But you have to make sure you are looking at passive forms to see that it does. Let’s start with the active voice:

I’m really upset. I have torn my dress.

This states your emotion after the specific action of tearing your dress.

I’m really upset. I tear my dress.

In the context of reporting your present emotion, I tear my dress does not usually refer to a specific action. It could if it was a case of the «demonstration present» or «running commentary» present, when you can use the simple present instead of the present progressive to report what you are doing right this moment. But this is a special usage of the present tense.

So, one can take the meaning of I tear my dress here as referring not to a specific action, but to a general truth, especially in the sense of a repeated or habitual action. This is clearer if we join the two sentences:

I’m really upset when(ever) I tear my dress.

Here, now it’s also clear that I’m really upset also does not report on one’s present emotion but states a general truth. A caveat to this is that you can say this statement as a statement of general truth when you are experiencing one instance (occurrence) of this general truth, that is, of tearing your dress.

Now, for the passive voice (or passive constructions).

I’m really upset. My dress is torn.

This sentence can be read as a passive construction; but it doesn’t have to be.

In fact, without an agent stated with by, this sentence would usually be interpreted as using torn as an adjective (not as the passive form of tear).

In this case, the two sentences report your present emotion at/over the current state of your dress. Here

Both torn and new are adjectives, acting as subject complements.

To make it clear that My dress is torn is a passive construction, you could state an agent, as in

I’m really upset. My dress is torn by the dog.

Now, you are in the same situation as the active construction. And this can be taken as a general truth:

I’m really upset when(ever) my dress is torn by the dog.

But without an agent stated, and without any context My dress is torn is unlikely to be interpreted as a passive construction.

As for the present perfect passive

I’m really upset. My dress has been torn.

The most natural way to read this is as a passive. When you do this, this is not stating a general truth but reporting your present emotion about the specific past action of your dress having been torn by an unstated agent. Again, you could make the agent explicit by adding by the dog.

But, again, you could use the two sentences to report a general truth if you combined them:

I’m really upset when(ever) my dress has been torn.

Основные отличия между present simple и present perfect

Present Simple — простое настоящее время

Present Simple — время в английском языке, которое служит для передачи явлений\действий в настоящем времени.

Рассмотрим еще случаи употребления времени present simple:

Как образуется время present simple

I = walk

You = walk

He\she\it = walks

They = walk

We = walk

Do I walk?

Do you walk?

Does he\she\it walk?

Do they walk?

Do we walk?

I do not walk.

You do not walk.

He\she\it does not walk.

They do not walk.

We do not walk.

I walk to the park every evening. Я гуляю в парке каждый вечер.

You cry every morning. Я плачу каждое утро.

She hears this annoying sound rarely. Она редко слышит этот раздражающий звук.

They like dogs. Они любят собак.

We play with children at home. Мы играем с детьми дома.

Do I walk to the park every evening? Я гуляю в парке каждый вечер?

Do you cry every morning? Ты плачешь каждое утро?

Does she hear this annoying sound rarely? Она редко слышит этот раздражающий звук?

Do they like dogs? Они любят собак?

Do we play with children at home? Мы играем с детьми дома?

I do not walk to the park every evening. Я не гуляю в парке каждый вечер.

You do not cry every morning. Ты не плачешь каждое утро

She does not hear this annoying sound rarely. Она не слышит этот раздражающий звук часто.

They do not like dogs. Они не любят собак.

We do not play with children at home. Мы не играем дома с детьми.

Многие обучающиеся допускают ошибки в образовании формы глагола с окончанием «s». Рассмотрим сложные случаи:

Вспомогательные глаголы «do, does» также могут использоваться в утвердительных предложениях в качестве усилителя экспрессивности.

I do love Kate. Я действительно люблю Катю.

Present Perfect — настоящее совершенное время

Презент перфект — время в английском языке, указывающее на действие/явление/событие, которое к моменту разговора уже завершилось. Важно запомнить, что данное действие ВСЕГДА связано с результатом в настоящем.

Рассмотрим примеры контекстуальных различий present perfect и past simple:

They were married for five years. Они были женаты пять лет. (Сейчас они уже не женаты, это завершенное действие в прошлом, используется past simple).

They have been married since university. Они женаты еще с университета. (Они до сих пор женаты, указывается лишь на то, что они поженились в прошлом, используется past perfect).

Как образуется present perfect

I have played.

You have played.

We have played.

They have played.

He\she\it has played.

Have I gone?

Have you gone?

Have we gone?

Have they gone?

Has he\she\it gone?

I have not tried.

You have not tried.

We have not tried.

They have not tried.

He\she\it has not tried.

I have asked her. Я спросил ее.

You have found the wallet. Ты нашел кошелек.

We have known them since childhood. Мы знаем их с детства.

They have seen this movie. Они видели этот фильм.

He has found the door. Он нашел дверь.

Have I asked her? Я ее спрашивал?

Have you found the wallet? Ты нашел кошелек?

Have we known them since childhood? Мы знаем их с детства?

Have they seen this movie? Они видели этот фильм?

Has he found the door? Он нашел дверь?

I have not asked her. Я не спросил ее.

You have not found the wallet. Ты не нашел кошелек.

We have not known them since childhood. Мы не знаем их с детства.

They have not seen this movie. Они не видели этот фильм.

He has not found the door. Он не нашел дверь.

Многие ученики делают ошибки в образовании правильных глаголов с окончанием «ed». Рассмотрим сложные случаи:

Обратите внимание на таблицу неправильных глаголов (вторая форма, использующаяся в past simple, в данной таблице не представлена):

Основные различия между временами

Упражнения для самопроверки.

Дополните предложения, используя present perfect.

Ответ: 1) hasn’t gone; 2) Have you seen it; 3) I’ve forgotten / I have forgotten; 4) he hasn’t replied; 5) has it finished; 6) The weather has changed; 7) You haven’t signed; 8) have they gone; 9) He hasn’t decided yet;10) I’ve just seen her / I have just seen her; 11) He’s already gone / He has already gone.

Составьте предложения с данными глаголами в present perfect и present simple.

Walk, find, cry, go, be, try, play, say.

Ответ (в качестве образца):

Present perfect: She has walked in the park since childhood. They have found the wallet. He has never cried. You haven’t gone to London. Have you ever been to Moscow? You haven’t tried it. Have you ever played with kids? She has said about him.

Present simple: She walks in the park every day. They find the wallet. He cries every morning. You go to London every spring. She is our teacher. They don’t try it. Do you play with kids? She says he is right.

How to distinguish the present simple from the present perfect

Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous: What’s the Difference

There are 4 present tense in the English tenses system. It is not difficult to understand them, you just need to know in what situations to apply this grammatical structure, and be able to build it correctly. Today our focus is on the present perfect and the present lasting perfect.

Despite the similarities in use, there is a clear fundamental difference between these times.

Let us first analyze the tenses separately, the main cases of their use, and then compare them.

Statement:

Jill and Paul have just finished decorating their house. / Jill and Paul have just finished renovating the house.

Justin hasn’t watched the film ‘Lord of the Rings’! / Justin hasn’t seen the Lord of the Rings movie!

They have bought a new washing machine! / They bought a new washing machine!

John has lived in many different places in his life and he s all of them. / John has lived in many different places in his life, and he likes them all.

Negation:

My colleagues have never been to Belgium. / My colleagues have not been to Belgium

Arina hasn’t arrived in Rome yet. / Arina has not yet arrived in Rome.

The question starts with the auxiliary verbs have and has:

Have you ever eaten a cockroach? / Have you ever eaten a cockroach?

Has Jessica checked your report yet? / Has Jessica already checked your report?

It is often difficult for us to accurately determine the Present Perfect time only by context, the following words often indicate it:

already / already

We’ve already invited Carol Don’t call her. / We’ve already invited Carol. Don’t call her.

just / just

Kim has just gone on a business trip to Paris. / Kim just left on a business trip.

yet / not yet

Paul hasn’t mended your computer yet. Can you wait? / Paul hasn’t fixed your computer yet. Can you wait?

for / during

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Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous

1. When we use the present perfect simple, it is important for us to show the completeness of the action, that is, its result. Present perfect continuius, unlike present perfect simple, shows the duration of a process that began in the past and continues in the present. The result is not important or unknown to us.
For example:

For example:
We have known her for a long time. (wrong: We have been knowing her). We have known her for a long time.

I have wanted to learn Spanish since my childhood. (false: I have been wanting)

I want to learn Spanish since childhood.

However, in colloquial speech, you can find verbs that express emotions when describing temporary situations, as well as to give speech a brighter shade.

For example: I’ve been hearing some strange noises coming from the outside.

I can still hear some strange sounds coming from outside.

Sometimes we can use both forms of Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continius, and the meaning of the sentence will not change (for example, with the verbs to work, to live)

I‘ve worked here for 20 years. I’ve been working here for twenty years.
I‘ve been working here for 20 years. I’ve been working here for twenty years.
How long Have you lived here? How long have you been living here?
How long Have you been living here? How long have you been living here?

It is also important to remember that Present Perfect Continuous is usually not used with verbs that express one-step actions, such as to start, to stop, to finish:

eg Have you finished your report? Have you finished your report?

3. We use present perfect simple rather than present perfect continuius to describe life experience. That is, to express actions or events that happened sometime during a person’s life. Commonly used bullet words are «never» and «ever».

For example:
I have never been to Spain. I have never been to Spain.
Have you ever tried to put on two pairs of trousers? Have you ever tried to put on two pairs of pants?

For example:
How many glasses of water Have you drunk today? How many glasses of water did you drink today?
How long Have you been staying at this hotel? How long have you been living in this hotel?
how much money Have you spelt this week? How much money did you spend this week?
How long Have you been taking these pills? How long have you been taking these pills?

Present Perfect Continuous vs Present Perfect Simple: structure

The shorthand for has or have is ‘s,’ ve for example: I’ve already seen this film. He’s been looking through the window since morning.

Marker words for Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect Simple

An important difference between Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect is the use of various marker words or adverbs of time, which indicate the need to use a particular time.

The times of the Perfect aspect in learning English are more difficult to perceive than the Simple or Continuous aspects. And the problem here lies in several factors: scope, complex grammatical formula and Russian translation, which is identical to the simple past tense.

So, in order to understand these nuances, we propose to consider each aspect in detail, and we will start with a comparison of Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous. Of the entire group of perfect times, they are the most common, so they should be mastered in the first place.

So, we will discuss the differences between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous in the field of application and grammatical structure, as well as give a small cheat sheet for making sentences.

What is the semantic difference between present perfect and present perfect continuous

Let’s start with what is generally called upon in English to denote perfect aspects. If in Russian speech we change the shades of the meaning of the verb by changing the endings, adding prefixes, etc., then the English use grammatical norms for this. Thus, the Perfect aspect was invented specifically to indicate the perfect action, i.e. is essentially equivalent to our perfective verbs. Let’s look at an example.

In other words, Perfect denotes the completeness of an action.

But if in Russian, perfect verbs are used only in the past or future tense (what will I do?), Then in English Perfect is used in 8 different tense aspects! True, due to the grammatical complexity, most of them are almost never used in speech, but statements in Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect Simple can often be heard in conversation with Englishmen and Americans. Let’s look at examples again.

At first glance, there is no difference in these sentences, because the Russian translation is identical. However, an Englishman will immediately notice the difference between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous, and it is expressed in the following.

In the first sentence, we simply say that the friend is in England and has been living there for three years.

In the second case, a small emphasis is placed on the duration of the action: “my friend has been living in England for three years already,” so it would be more correct to translate this sentence into Russian. Of course, the difference is not so significant, but it is still there.

True, such coincidences between Perfect Continius and a simple Perfect are quite rare. More often than not, the scope of these aspects is clearly delineated. Let’s compare Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous using the following example.

As they say, the difference is visible to the naked eye. In the first case, the emphasis is on the result of the action: we took a dip and realized that the water is warm. The second proposal is intended to focus on the action itself and its duration: we swam for 30 minutes, because the water is warm. It is for this semantic difference that one can easily distinguish Present Perfect from Present Perfect Continuous. So, let’s repeat the main point one more time:

Present Perfect puts an emphasis on the fact, the result, the completeness of the action. Present Perfect Continius is used to indicate the process of action itself and its duration.

But here it is worth noting an important thing: with continuous tenses (Continuous format), state verbs, the so-called state verbs, cannot be used. These are verbs describing relationships, feelings, needs, desires, etc. (a complete list of such words can be found in a separate article). So, even if we want to put an emphasis on the duration of the action in our statement, we can still use only the present perfect.

As you can see, in terms of meaning, the proposals speak specifically about long-term actions, and not about results. But since the rule prohibits combining Continius with such verbs, we use the usual PERFECT here.

In addition, the standard rules of aspects are relevant for Present Perfect Simple and Continuous. Simple Perfect is used to indicate a fully completed action and its result, as well as to indicate the experience gained. Continuous Perfect is used to emphasize the duration or recent completion of an action, and sometimes even its infinity (with a negative connotation, irritability).

Here is such a discrepancy, maybe small, but important for the British and Americans, in the use of perfect times of the present time. Now let’s talk a little about the grammar of these aspects.

The grammatical nuances of Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

Already from the above examples, it is clear that the sentences in Present Perfect and Continius Perfect differ in grammatical basis. Let’s consider what laws these statements are based on.

Note that the word been is the third form of the verb to be, which is used in any tense of the Continuous (Progressive) aspect.

Questions and denials are also formed by Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous with the help of have. At the same time, for an interrogative intonation, the helper verb moves to the first place in the sentence, and for a negative context it remains in its place, but attaches the not particle to itself. Let’s look at some examples.

That’s all, there is nothing particularly complicated here. The main thing to remember is that a simple Perfect expresses have and the third form of the verb, and Continius Perfect is composed using the combination have + been + ing-verb, i.e. fourth form (present participle). But for those who are not yet confident in their abilities, here is a small cheat sheet that will facilitate the perception of this aspect at first.

If interested, on our site there is a test for Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

A brief table of constructing sentences in Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect

So, we talked about the difference between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous, both in terms of grammar and in terms of use in speech. And in a concise form to summarize all of the above and make an easy cheat sheet, the table below will help us. By the way, we also added time indicators to it, by which you can definitely easily determine whether to use Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous in a sentence.

Present Simple. Present simple time

Present Simple used when it comes to ordinary, regular or more / less constant actions in the present tense.

For the formation of Present Simple, we use the initial one, that is Form I a verb (the form given in dictionaries).

Statement

In statements in the 3rd person unit. h. (he, she, it) the ending is added to the verb -s (-es):

Denial

Negation in Present Simple is formed using an auxiliary verb do and particles Note. Do not is placed before the main verb.

In denials in the 3rd person unit. h (he, she, it) ending -s (-es) added to the auxiliary verb do, and the main verb is used without ending (do+esNote) [dʌz].

Note that doNote и does not also used in short form:

Questions

An auxiliary verb is used to form interrogative sentences do, which is placed before the subject.

For the formation of questions in the 3rd person ed. h. an auxiliary verb is placed in front of the subject do with ending -Is, the main verb remains without an ending.

If the question starts with an interrogative word (what? Where? Why? When? Etc.), then that interrogative word is placed before the auxiliary verb.

If the verb ends in:

In all other cases, the ending is added -s.

If the verb ends in:

Verb to be (to be) is a special verb. To be does not obey the general rules of education of the present simple time. Read about the use of the verb to be in Present Simple in this handbook article:

Verb to be in Present Simple

Using Present Simple

Present Simple (present simple tense) is used in different situations, that is, it can express:

Regularly repetitive, routine activities in the present tense

Often with the words: Cada dia (everyday), every week (every week), from time to time (occasionally), Sometimes (sometimes), usually (usually), always (always), often (often), seldom (rarely), never (never), once a week (once a week), twice a year (twice a year)

More or less constant actions in the present tense

That which «in general» is happening in the present tense.

In this article, we will study in detail the rules and examples of Present Perfect Continuous. It expresses a long-term action that has just completed or is still ongoing. Let’s also compare Present Perfect Continuous with Present Perfect, Present Continuous and Past Continuous and figure out when to use them.

Present Perfect Continuous time is translated into Russian as «present perfect for a long time.» Don’t be intimidated by such a long name. In fact, it is not so difficult to deal with it, especially if you have already mastered Present Perfect well. Let’s start with the formation of Present Perfect Continuous and then move on to rules and examples.

Present Perfect Continuous Education

Present Perfect Continuous is formed according to the following scheme:

Examples of affirmative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous:

Examples of negative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous:

Examples of interrogative sentences in Present Perfect Continuous:

Using Present Perfect Continuous

Now let’s talk about when Present Perfect Continuous is used.

— Try! Julia scorching this cake all morning.

Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect

Let’s talk about the difference between Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect. Compare examples and rules in the table below.

There are verbs that are not used in the continuous form (Continuous). Since these verbs describe not the action itself, but the state of the object, they are called stative verbs. There are many examples of such verbs. To make them easier to remember, the following groups can be distinguished:

If the action began in the past, but has not yet ended, we usually use Present Perfect with state verbs, and not Present Perfect Continuous.

There are a number of verbs in English that have process-related meanings. They are called durable verbs: live, work, teach, study, feel and others. These verbs can be used both in Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect when we talk about actions that began in the past and continue in the present.

Time Present Perfect denotes an action that has completed to date or completed in the present time period. Although English verbs in Present Perfect usually translated into Russian in the past tense, it should be remembered that in English these actions are perceived in the present tense, since they are tied to the present by the result of this action.

I Have already done my homework.
I’ve already done my homework.

We have no classes today, our teacher has fallen respectively
We won’t have lessons today, our teacher is sick.