DigiChalk
Grammar CornerGrammar Lab · Leerjaar 3, 4, 5

Grammar Lab · Present perfect vs past simple

Snap hetCheck itPractiseScore 0

Quick explain

  • Past simple: je zegt (of denkt) wánneer het gebeurde — yesterday, in 2020, last week.
  • Present perfect: het tijdstip doet niet mee. Het gaat om ervaring, nieuws of iets dat nu nog telt.
  • Signaalwoorden helpen: ever, never, just, already, yet, since, for → present perfect.

did you see ●(toen) | have you seen ●───► (ooit / tot nu)

Vorm

Positief

I saw it yesterday. / I have seen it.

Ontkennend

I didn't see it. / I haven't seen it.

Vraag

Did you see it? / Have you seen it?

Examples

  • I have been to Paris. → ervaring, wanneer doet niet mee
  • I went to Paris in 2022. → duidelijk tijdstip
  • She has lost her keys. → ze zoekt nog
  • She lost her keys yesterday, but she found them.

Signaalwoorden: past simple: yesterday, ago, last night, in 2018 · present perfect: ever, never, just, already, yet, since, for

Dutch alert

  • Yesterday I have seen my friend.

    Yesterday I saw my friend.

    Yesterday is een tijdstip in het verleden → past simple.

  • I know her for three years.

    I have known her for three years.

    For + nu nog zo → present perfect. In het Nederlands zeg je 'ik ken haar al drie jaar'.

  • Did you ever be in Scotland?

    Have you ever been to Scotland?

    Ever hoort bij de present perfect en na been komt to.