比較過去時與現在完成時

現在完成時可表示持續到現在的動作或狀態，動詞一般是延續性的，如live， teach， learn， work， study， know.

過去時常用的非持續性動詞有come， go， leave， start， die， finish， become， get married等。
舉例：
I saw this film yesterday.
（強調看的動作發生過了。）
I have seen this film.
（強調對現在的影響，電影的內容已經知道了。）
Why did you get up so early？
（強調起床的動作已發生過了。）
Who hasn‘t handed in his paper？
（強調有卷子，可能為不公平競爭。）
She has returned from Paris.
她已從巴黎回來了。
She returned yesterday.
她是昨天回來了。
He has been in the League for three years.
（在團內的狀態可延續）
He has been a League member for three years.
（是團員的狀態可持續）
He joined the League three years ago.
（ 三年前入團，joined為短暫行為。）
I have finished my homework now.
——Will somebody go and get Dr. White？
——He’s already been sent for.

句子中如有過去時的時間副詞（如 yesterday， last， week， in 1960）時，不能使用現在完成時，要用過去時。
（錯）Tom has written a letter to his parents last night.
（對）Tom wrote a letter to his parents last night