Kafası karışanlar ve detayları merak edenler için 20 dakikalık kapsamlı bir Past Simple ve Present Perfect Tense karşılaştırması videosu hazırladım. Bolca karşılaştırmalı örnek ile kilit terimleri ve püf noktaları ele alıyoruz.
1. Overview of Tenses
Simple Past
- Usage: Describes actions that were completed at a specific point in the past.
- Time Reference: Definite past time.
- Example:
- I visited Istanbul last summer.
Present Perfect
- Usage: Describes actions that occurred at an indefinite time in the past or that have relevance to the present moment.
- Time Reference: Indefinite past time or ongoing relevance.
- Example:
- I have visited Istanbul.
2. Detailed Comparison
A. Time Reference
- Simple Past
- Definite Time: The action occurred at a specific, often mentioned, time in the past.
- Signal Words: yesterday, last week/month/year, in 2010, when I was a child, etc.
Examples:
- She watched a movie yesterday.
- They moved to Ankara in 2018.
- Present Perfect
- Indefinite Time: The exact time is not specified or not important.
- Ongoing Relevance: The action may have an effect on the present.
- Signal Words: ever, never, already, yet, just, recently, since, for, etc.
Examples:
- She has watched that movie before.
- They have lived in Ankara for six years.
B. Connection to the Present
- Simple Past
- The action is completed and has no direct connection to the present.
Example:
- I finished my homework. (Homework is done; no further implication.)
- Present Perfect
- The action has a connection to the present, either affecting the current situation or being relevant now.
Example:
- I have finished my homework, so I can go out now.
C. Use with Time Expressions
- Simple Past
- Often used with specific past time expressions.
Examples:
- They traveled to Spain last summer.
- He graduated in 2020.
- Present Perfect
- Typically used with non-specific time expressions or those indicating an unfinished time period.
Examples:
- They have traveled to Spain. (No specific time mentioned.)
- He has graduated recently.
Note: Present Perfect is used with time expressions like this week, so far, up to now, which indicate that the time period is still ongoing.
Example:
- I have read three books this month. (The month is not over yet.)
3. Common Scenarios and Examples
A. Completed Actions vs. Experiences
- Simple Past: Refers to specific completed actions.
Example:
- I ate sushi last night.
- Present Perfect: Refers to life experiences without specifying when they occurred.
Example:
- I have eaten sushi before.
B. Actions with Present Relevance
- Simple Past: Action has no direct relevance to the present.
Example:
- She broke her leg last year.
- Present Perfect: Action has a present consequence.
Example:
- She has broken her leg, so she can’t walk now.
C. Duration from Past to Present
- Simple Past: Typically not used for actions continuing to the present.
Example:
- I lived in Izmir. (Implies you no longer live there.)
- Present Perfect: Used with since and for to express duration up to now.
Example:
- I have lived in Izmir for five years. (You still live there.)
4. Strategies for Turkish Students
A. Identifying Time Indicators
- Look for Specific Time Words: If the sentence includes words like yesterday, last year, in 2010, use the Simple Past.
Example:
- I went to the market yesterday.
- Look for Indefinite or Present-Relevant Words: If the sentence includes words like ever, never, since, for, use the Present Perfect.
Example:
- Have you ever traveled abroad?
B. Considering the Present Relevance
- Does the Action Affect the Present?
- Yes: Use Present Perfect.
- I have lost my keys. (I still don’t have them now.)
- No: Use Simple Past.
- I lost my keys yesterday. (The action happened in the past.)
- Yes: Use Present Perfect.
C. Using Ongoing Time Frames
- Current Periods (Today, This Week, This Month):
- If the period is still ongoing, prefer Present Perfect.
Example:
- She has written three emails today. (Today is not over yet.)
- Once the period is over, switch to Simple Past.
Example:
- She wrote three emails yesterday.
5. Comparative Examples
| Situation | Simple Past | Present Perfect |
| Specific completed action in the past | They built a new house last year. | They have built a new house. |
| Life experience without specifying when | He graduated from university. | He has graduated from university. |
| Action affecting the present | She forgot her appointment. | She has forgotten her appointment. |
| Duration from past to now | I studied English for two years. | I have studied English for two years. |
| Recent actions without specific time | I saw that movie. | I have seen that movie recently. |