Present Perfect or Past Simple
The New Headway Intermediate Student's Book, fourth edition, page 141 7.3, 2 says:
The Present Perfect refers to indefinite time. The Past Simple refers to definite time. Notice the time expressions used with the two tenses.
Present Perfect - indefinite
I've done it for a long time/since July/before/recently.
Past Simple - definite
I did it yesterday/last week/two days ago/at eight o'clock/in 1987/when I was young/for a long time.
I am very very very confused because the words 'for a long time' are in both lists. How is this possible???!!!!
Is the book wrong? Please help me!
Thank you very much
Top answer
car pen 112 Is the book wrong? No, but the explanation is quite poor/incomplete. The phrase "for a long time" can be used with both those tenses, and so can "before" and "recently".
- car pen 112 Is the book wrong?
- No, but the explanation is quite poor/incomplete.
- The phrase "for a long time" can be used with both those tenses, and so can "before" and "recently".
- I've lived in Birmingham for a long time.
- [ applies up to, and possibly including, the present] I lived in Birmingham for a long time.
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car pen 112Is the book wrong?
No, but the explanation is quite poor/incomplete. The phrase "for a long time" can be used with both those tenses, and so can "before" and "recently".
I've lived in Birmingham for a long time. [ applies up to, and possibly including, the present]
I lived in Birmingham for a long time. [ in the pas
0car pen 112I am very very very confused because the words 'for a long time' are in both lists. How is this possible???!!!!
The long time happens at different times.
With the present perfect the long time starts in the past and continues into present time.
With the past simple the long time starts in the past, continues, then stops in the past
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