Past Simple vs Present Perfect
● We use the Present Perfect when we talk about something that happened in a period of time up to the present. We use the Past Simple to talk about something that happened at a particular, finished time in the past. Compare:
● 表示某事发生在过去并持续到现在，用现在完成时；表示在过去的某个特定的时间发生了某事并已经结束，用一般过去时，试比较：
★ Science has made many major advances this century.
★ 本世纪以来，科学取得了诸多重大进展。
★ Scientists made several major discoveries in the 18th century.
★ 在18世纪，科学家们取得了几项重大发现。
● When we report that someone has recently invented, produced, discovered or written something, we use the Present Perfect. When we talk about something that was invented, produced, discovered or written in the more distant past, we use the Past Simple.
● 当描述最近发明、生产、发现或书写了什么，用现在完成时；当描述相对久远的过去发明、生产、发现或书写了什么，用一般过去时。
★ Scientists have discovered that, all over the world, millions of frogs and toads are dying.
★ 科学家们发现，世界各地数以百万计的青蛙和蟾蜍正在死去。
★ Chinese craftsmen invented both paper and printing.
★ 中国工匠发明了造纸术和印刷术。
★ To help today’s customers make a choice, a company in New York has developed a video trolley – a supermarket trolley with a video screen to display advertisements and price information.
★ 现今，为帮助顾客做出选择，纽约的一家公司开发了一种视频手推车，即一种带有视频屏幕的超市手推车，可以显示广告和价格信息。
★ At the start of his career, Cousteau invented the aqualung, opening the oceans to explorers, scientists, and leisure divers.
★ 库斯托在其职业生涯初期发明了水肺，为探险家、科学家和潜水爱好者打开了海洋世界。
● We can use either the Past Simple or the Present Perfect to talk about repeated actions or events. If we use the Present Perfect, we often suggest that the action or event might happen again. If we use the Past Simple, it suggests that it is finished and won’t happen again. Compare:
● 一般过去时和过去完成时均可用来描述反复发生的事件。用现在完成时，则表示该事件还有可能再次发生；用一般过去时，则表示该事件已经结束，不会再次发生，试比较：
★ Andy has made 13 films and I think his latest is the best.
★ 安迪已经制作了13部电影，我认为其最新制作的电影最佳。
★ Andy made 13 films before he was tragically killed in a car accident.
★ 安迪在惨死于一场车祸之前，已经制作了13部电影。
★ Cathy has represented her country on many occasions, and hopes to go on to compete in the next Olympics.
★ 凯西已多次代表其国家参加奥运会，并希望继续代表其国家参加下一届奥运会。
★ Cathy represented her country on many occasions to compete in the Olympics, but was forced to retire after an injury.
★ 凯西已多次代表其国家参加奥运会，但因受伤被迫退役。
● We can use both the Past Simple and the Present Perfect to talk about states. We use the Present Perfect to talk about a state that existed in the past and still exists now, and we use the Past Simple if the state no longer exists. Compare:
● 一般过去时和现在完成时均可用来描述某种状态。用现在完成时，则表示该状态从过去一直延续至现在；用一般过去时，则表示该状态在过去的某段时间存在并已经结束，试比较：
★ I have known him for more than 10 years.
★ 我认识他已十年有余。
★ I knew him when we were both working in Rome.
★ 我们都在罗马工作的时候，我认识了他。
● We often use BEFORE, FOR and RECENTLY with both the Past Simple and the Present Perfect.
● BEFORE、FOR、RECENTLY既可用一般过去时，亦可用现在完成时。
★ Nothing like this has happened before.
★ 以前没有发生过这样的事情。
★ Why didn’t you ask me before?
★ 以前你为什么不问我？
★ A new school has recently opened in Haidian District.
★ 海淀区最近新开办了一所学校。
★ I saw Andy recently.
★ 我最近见过安迪。
★ We’ve had the dishwasher for three years. ( we have still got it)
★ 这个洗碗机我们已经用了三年了。(还在用这个洗碗机)
★ We had the car for six years. (we no longer have it)
★ 这辆车我们用了六年。(这辆车已经不在我们这儿了)
● Time adverbs that refer to the present, such as today, this morning/week/month can also be used with either the Past Simple or the Present Perfect. If we see today, this morning/week/month as a past, completed period of time, then we use the Past Simple; if we see them as a period including the present moment, then we use the Present Perfect. Compare:
● 表“现在”的时间副词，如today, this morning/week/ month，既可用一般过去时，亦可用现在完成时。如若把这些时间副词看作过去的、已完成的一段时间，用一般过去时；如若把这些时间副词看作包括现在在内的一段时间，用现在完成时，试比较：
★ I wrote three letters this morning. (the morning is over)
★ 我今天上午写了三封信。(上午已经结束)
★ I’ve written three letters this morning. (it is still morning)
★ 我今天上午写了三封信。(现在还是上午)
★ I didn’t shave today. (the usual time has passed)
★ 我今天没刮胡子。(通常刮胡子的时间已经过了)
★ I haven’t shaved today. (today is not finished and I may shave later or may not)
★ 我今天没刮胡子。(今天还未结束，我可能晚点再刮胡子，也可能不刮)
● We use the Present Perfect with EVER and NEVER to emphasize that we are talking about the whole of a period of time up until the present.
● EVER、NEVER与现在完成时连用时，用来强调到现在为止的整段时间。
★ It’s one of the most significant views I’ve ever seen.
★ 这是我迄今见过的最壮观的景象之一。
★ I’ve never had any problems with my car.
★ 我的车从未出现过任何问题。
★ Have you ever met someone really famous?
★ 你见过真正的名人吗？
We use the Past Simple with EVER and NEVER to talk about a completed period in the past.
● EVER、NEVER与一般过去时连用时，用来强调到过去的某段完整的时间。
★ When he was young, he never bothered too much about his appearance.
★ 他年轻的时候，从不太在意自己的外表。
★ Did you ever learn to play a musical instrument as a child?
★ 你小时候学过乐器吗？
★ Did you ever hear anything like this?
★ 你听到过这种事吗？
Appreciate the following article to learn more about the Present Perfect and the Past Simple.
New cycle routes have been built in and around the center of Birmingham and speed limits have been reduced on selected roads. The scheme has now been in operation for a year and has been hailed as a great success. Since the new speed limits were introduced, the number of accidents in the area has fallen dramatically. It only took six months to draw up the plans and mark the routes. This has been done in consultation with groups representing city cyclists. The success of the scheme has led to proposals for similar schemes in other cities.
Use either the Present Perfect or the Past Simple to complete these sentences.
1. The company ____ (survive) many setbacks in its 50-year history, but it is now flourishing.
2. Few of the trees in our village ____ (survive) the storms during the winter of 1991.
3. The price of houses ____ (rise) dramatically in recent years.
4. Unemployment ____ (rise) every year until 1985 and then started to fall.
5. I ____ (regret) moving to London from the day I arrived. I’d love to go back to Rome.
6. At first, I ____ (regret) inviting them to stay, but we soon became great friends.
Answers:
1. has survived
2. survived
3. has risen
4. rose
5. have regretted
6. regretted
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