Past vs Present Perfect
Past and Present Perfect are the two grammatical forms of a verb used in the English language. In fact, it can be said that they are two different tense forms of a verb. Past tense indicates that the action is complete a short while ago. On the other hand, present perfect tense indicates that the action was completed more than a short while ago. This is the main difference between past tense and present perfect tense.
Observe the two sentences:
1. I looked at my mother from a distance.
2. She gave her book to her friend.
In both the sentences, you can see that the verbs ‘looked’ and ‘gave’ are used in the past tense form. They indicate that the actions were complete a short while prior to their corresponding future actions. In other words, past tense verbs are used in narration.
On the other hand, the present perfect tense is used to describe something that happened in the past, but the exact time it happened is not very important. On the other hand, it has relationship with the present.
Observe the two sentences:
1. I have done my homework.
2. I have forgotten to take my book to the school.
In the first sentence, you get the special meaning that ‘I did my homework in the past too, but the time is not important, only that it is done now’. In the same way, you get the meaning from the second sentence also as ‘I forgot to take my book in the past a few times, it is forgotten now.’ This is the main difference between past tense and present perfect tense. It is in fact wrong to use the time when you use present perfect tense. It is wrong to say ‘I have done my homework last night’.
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