PAST SIMPLE
1.
We use the past simple to refer to events that
took place in the past.
-
A pharmacist called John Pemberton invented Coca-cola.
-
‘Did you go to Berlin last week?’
‘Yes, and I met Herr Gnuchtel.’
2.
We frequently use a time adverb to situate the
event in finished past time.
-
Rolls Royce went bust in 1973.
-
A few
years ago, the City Plaza Hotel was a leader in its segment of the market.
-
Many people lost a lot of money on the stock
market during 2008 and 2009.
3.
We use the pas simple in annual reports to
describe the company’s performance over the last year.
-
Last year was a good year for our group. Sales rose by
more than 11%, and we made
substantial gains in market share in a number of countries.
PRESENT PERFECT
1.
We use the present perfect to say that a
finished pas action is relevant now.
-
The have
developed a new brand of toothpaste.
-
The chairman has recently resigned.
2.
We use the present perfect when we are thinking
of a period of time contunuing up to the present.
-
For over 50 years, Stirling Cars has developed classic sports cars.
-
Calvin Klein has been one of the leading fashion designers since the mid-1970s.
3.
We often use this tense to talk about our life
experiences.
-
She has
had a number of interesting jobs.
-
He’s
worked for a variety of firms.
