Lesson 3.2 · From the past to the present

Present perfect or past simple: repeated events

When you say how many times something has happened – or how many of something you have done – the choice between the present perfect and the past simple comes down to one question: can it happen again?

From How to Use English Verb Tenses in Business by David Cox · 200+ diagrams for professional English

Saying how many times, or how many of something

We use the present perfect to say how many times we have done something, or how many of something we have done, up to now. The number can still grow.

I have been to Madrid three times.

Present perfect to say how many times something has happened up to now(it can happen again)

I have worked with several major international clients.

Present perfect to say how many of something you have done up to now(you can work with more)

Apple have released ten versions of the iPhone.

Present perfect to say how many of something have happened up to now(there can be more versions)

Can it happen again?

This is the rule for every repeated event in this lesson.

Present perfect

It can happen again.

Past simple

It can’t happen again.

Steve Jobs launched many iconic products.

Past simple – the time period is finished(he can’t launch any more products)

Elon Musk has launched several major companies.

Present perfect – the time period is still open(he can launch more companies)

The same rule outside business: Elvis Presley released many great songs. (he can’t release any more) Taylor Swift has released many great songs. (she can release more)

More examples of things that can happen again: The company has released so many good products. (in its existence) I have seen this film many times. (in my life) I have called them several times. (and I aim to call them again)

Adding a time frame

We can also add a time frame to say when these repeated events happened. The rule stays the same.

Can it happen again within the time frame?

Yes – the time frame is still open: present perfect

this year
today(while the day is still going)
this morning(while it is still morning)
during the past few weeks
in my career(while you are still working)

No – the time frame is finished: past simple

last year
yesterday
this morning(when it is now the afternoon)
during our discussion earlier(the discussion is over)
in my last job

Time frames like today and this morning can take either tense. It depends on whether you see the time frame as still open or already finished.

Today: I’ve had three meetings today. (the day isn’t over – there may be more) I had three meetings today. (you see the day as finished – for example, in the evening)

This morning: I’ve spoken to the client twice this morning. (it’s still morning) I spoke to the client twice this morning. (it’s now the afternoon – the morning is finished)

Finished and unfinished time frames

Last year is over, so nothing else can happen in it. This year is still going, so the number can still change.

I went to China three times last year.

Past simple – the time frame is finished(it can’t happen again last year)

I have been to China three times this year.

Present perfect – the time frame is still open(it can happen again this year)

Other examples: Last year we signed twelve new clients. This year we’ve signed eight new clients so far. In Q2 the team missed three deadlines. This quarter the team has missed only one deadline.

Time frames in action

In a real update, you often switch between the two tenses as the time frame changes.

We’ve signed three new clients this month,

Present perfect – this month is still open

but last month we signed five.

Past simple – last month is finished

During our discussion earlier, you mentioned two problems with the supplier,

Past simple – the discussion is over

so I’ve called them twice today.

Present perfect – today is still open(I may call them again)

When the verb is ‘have’: use ‘have had’

With expressions like to have a meeting, to have a discussion or to have a call, the present perfect needs both verbs: have had.

Examples: We’ve had three meetings with the client this week. (to have a meeting) We’ve had several discussions about the budget. (to have a discussion) I’ve had two calls with the supplier today. (to have a call)

Without ‘had’, the meaning changes. ‘I have three meetings today’ means they are on your schedule – the present simple for timetabled events from Lesson 2.2.

‘Have had’ in action

The same question decides the tense: can it happen again within the time frame?

I’ve had 3 coffees today

Present perfect – today is still open(I may have more)

because I had 4 meetings this morning

Past simple – this morning is finished(it’s now the afternoon)

and I’ve had another 3 meetings this afternoon.

Present perfect – this afternoon is still open(there may be more meetings)

Practise this lesson

Test yourself on repeated events with sentences from real meetings, emails and updates.

Teachers: use these diagrams

You are welcome to use these diagrams in your lessons and materials. Please credit Fluency Space with a link to this page.

Diagram: Fluency Space – fluencyspace.com/grammar/verb-tenses/present-perfect-repeated-events/

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