Past perfect and simple past compared
The past simple tense | The past perfect tense |
| In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. | By 1996, this had fallen to 51%. By 1991 this had increased to 40%. |
It is easier to understand the past perfect tense if you think of it as an earlier past tense.
1996 was a date in the past
· The fall to 51% occurred before 1996.
· It was completed by 1996.
1991 was a date in the past
· The increase to 40% occurred before 1991.
...Present perfect and simple past compared
The present perfect tense links the past and the present. It can be contrasted with the past simple tense.
The past simple tense | The present perfect tense |
The past simple tense may describe completed activities and past situations | The present perfect tense may describe activities or situations which began in the past and are still continuing |
| In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. | The number of one person households has gr... |
1. Whole class is reading the poem.
The poem is being read by the class.
2. A Businessman donated $2000 to the Save the Children Fund.
The Save the children Fund was donated $200 by a businessman.
3. Our parents gave us these presents.
These presents were given us by7 our parents.
4. I did not paint this picture.
This picture was not painted by me.
5. The neighbor’s dog crumpled my homework.
My homework was crumpled by the neighbor’s dog.
6. We have invited all the students in the school.
All the students in the school have been invited.
7. Someone wi...
The first conditional (also called conditional type 1) is a structure used for talking about possibilities in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the first conditional is formed, and when to use it.
1. The structure of a first conditional sentenceA first conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:
if clause | main clause |
If you study hard, | you will pass the test. |
If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need fo...