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Present perfect (1 have done) and past simple (did) (1) Preseni períeci When we talk about something that happened in the past, but we don't specify precisely wbher it happened (perhaps we don't know, or itis not important to say when it happened), we use the present perfect (but see E below): 2 A French yachtsman has broken the record for sailing round the world single-handed. » Thave complained about the traffic before. When we use thc present perfect, it suggests some kind of connection berween what happened in the past, and the present time. Often we are interested in the way that something that happened in the past affects the situation that exists now: » Pye washcd my hands so that I can help you with the cooking. s Wecan'*t go ahead with the meeting, because very few people have shown any interest. The connection with the present may also be that something happened recently, with a consequence for the present: + Pve found the lerter you were looking for. Here it is. + My ceiling has fallen in and the kitchen is flooded. Come quickefy! When we talk about how long an existing situation has Jasted, even ¡Ewe don't give a precise length of time, we use the present perfect (but see F below): e They ve grown such a lot sivce we last saw them. 2 Prices have fallen sharply over the past six months. w We've recently started to walk to work instead of taking the bus. We often use the present perfect to say that an action or event has been repeated a number of times up to now (sec also Unit 4B): + They've heen to Chile three times. —« Tveoftenwished D'd learned to read music. Pastsimple When we want to indicate that something happened at a specific time in the past, we use the past simple. We can either say when it happened, using a time adverb, or assume that the hearer already knows when it happened or can understand this from the context: 8 She arrived at Kennedy Airport al 2 0*clock this morning. % Janc lcht just a fer minutes ago. 2 Jim decided to continue the conrse, even though it was proving very difficult. We use the past simple for situations that existed for a period of time in the past, but not now: » When [was younger] played badminton for my local team. + The Pharaobs ruled Egypt for thousands of years. If we are interested in when a present situation began rather than how forg it has been going on for, we use the past simple. Compare: a Istarted to ger the paíns three weeks ago. —» Pvehad the pains for three weeks now. 2 When did you arrive in Britain? + How long have you been in Britain? However, we also usc the past simple to talk about how long something went on for if the action or event is no longer going on (see also Unit 4C): e Istayed with my grandparents for six months. (= 1 am no longer staying there) e He spent some time in Paris when he was younger.” “How long did he live there?” Present periect and past simple (2) ano (3) Pasi continuous and past simple EAS 
