Talents and experiences

Describe own and other people's experiences (present perfect vs. past simple)

present perfect to talk about experiences

Have you ever ridden a bike from Medellin to Caldas?

Has your mother ever told you off in front of your friends?

Remember to use follow up questions in simple past to get details about the experience:

When DID you DO it? WERE you alone?

DID you GET tired?

differencesSimple Past (When exactly) Present Perfect Simple (not specific)

• yesterday• ... ago• in 1990• the other day• last …

I met my best friend 2 years ago.

• just• already• up to now• until now / till now• ever/never• (not) yet• so far• lately / recently• FOR/SINCE

I’ve known my best friend FOR 2 years.

Have you ever…

• walked all the way up to La Catedral in Envigado?