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I never know when do I have to use the past/present simple or past perfect for example:

I worked too hard or I have been working too hard

The company has introduced or the company introduced

It is really very confused...

Thanks

Maverick88 · Accepted Answer

Hi Guest

If you add some context to the above sentences it will help us to suggest you what to use.

Pieanne · Answer

Hello!
I'll just say a word about the simple past: You use the simple past whenever you have a complement, adverb, date, time-clause which tells the moment in the past when the action took place
EG:
I saw/b> her yesterday.
She met him a long time ago.
When I was young, I lived in the country.
They sent us this letter on Saturday 12th.

Or because of the context:
Shakespeare (who is very dead) wrote "Romeo and Julietta".

If that time/moment in the past is not specified, you use the present perfect.

I trust the other mods will exlain the use of present perfect more clearly than I can, so please wait till one sees your question!

Paco2004 · Answer

Hello

My thought on this matter is as follows:

'Now' is the time span which speaker feels they are speaking.

past tense:
-------~~past~~------|---- now ---|-------- future ----
<----->
past tense
The past tense means the action finished some time before the begin of 'now'.

present perfect:
-------~~past~~------|---- now ---|-------- future ----
<--------------->|
present perfect
The present perfect means the action 'continues' until the begin of 'now'.

present perfect progressive:
-------~~past~~------|---- now ---|-------- future ----
<------------------------------>
present perfect progressive
The present perfect progressive means the action 'attains at' the end of 'now'.

I worked hard:
-------~~past~~------|---- now ---|-------- future ----
<----->
worked

I have worked hard:
-------~~past~~------|---- now ---|-------- future ----
<--------------->|
have + worked

I have been working hard:
-------~~past~~------|---- now ---|-------- future ----
<------------------------------>
have + been + working

paco

CalifJim · Answer

I never know when I have to use the past simple or the present perfect ...
___________

The past (simple) is the "past exclusive of the present" or "the exclusive past".
The present perfect is the "past inclusive of the present" or "the inclusive past".

Expressions which exclude the present, like "yesterday", "last week", "last Monday", "three days ago", "at that time", and so on, combine with the past simple, not with the present perfect. Note that if the specific time in the past when the situation occurred is mentioned or implied, the past simple must be used.

Expressions which include the present, like "at present", "so far", "since last Monday", "lately", and so on, combine with the present perfect, not with the past simple. The present perfect can also be thought of as the "diary tense". It is how you express the idea that a situation was experienced (exists as a "diary entry") without saying exactly when.

Consideration of these adverbs of time overrides any other considerations.

If there are no such adverbs, you choose on the basis of which adverbs are implied. In other words, you choose on the basis of whether you think the present moment is included or excluded.

Did you work hard yesterday? Two days ago? And now the work is finished? You are no longer working? Then say, "I worked hard ([yesterday / two days ago / earlier this morning])."

Have you been working hard for some period of time? And now you are still working? Or you have been working up to the present moment? Then say, "I have been working hard ([all day/ since early this morning / lately])."

I hope that helps.

CJ

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