Portuguese and Spanish speakers tend to confuse the use of present perfect and simple past tenses. I created this presentation back in May, 2010. Teacher, if you want to use these slides, I would suggest you changed the dates for the day of your class to make sure students understand that present perfect is actually present, although it refers to the past.

1. Present Perfect X Past simple
Teacher Priscila

2. My photos!
• I take photos very often.
J
2009
F
M
A
May
This week
Jul
Aug
Sep
XXX XXX XXX
XX XXX
•
•
•
•
•
Oct
Nov
Dec
X
XX
XXX
X
today
XXX
XXX
X
XX
X
XX
X
XX
X
In 2009, I took 21 photos.
In January 2010, I took 7 photos.
In May 2010, I have taken 7 photos.
This week I have already taken 4 photos.
Today I haven’t taken any photos yet!
XX
XX

3. Present perfect X Past Simple
I have travelled abroad.
I travelled to NY in 2007 .
• Sometime in my life.
• I am not in NY now. 
(My life is not finished)
• My trip started and finished in
• This event is part of my
present life.
• The exact moment is not
mentioned.
the past.
• This event is part of my past.
• The time is mentioned.

4. Is this event part of the present, or
does it influence the present?
No. It is
completely
finished.
Use past
simple
Yes
Use present
perfect

5. Exercise – complete the sentences:
• (rain) It ___________ all day
long. The city is chaotic.
• (rain) It ____________ more
than expected in January.
• (change) Cindy __________
too much in the last years.
• I went to Cindy’s wedding
yesterday. After the waltz, she
(change) __________ clothes,
and the dress was gorgeous.
• (brake) I __________ my
nose in a fight.
• (forget) I __________ my
book at home. Can I do the
exercise with you?
• (brake) I ___________ my
arm on my first birthday.
• (forget) I ___________ my
books last class, then I had to do
all the exercises at home.