Business English A2 · Lesson 7B

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

Past simple vs present perfect in complaint handling

2 structures

Past simple (regular and irregular)
For finished actions at a finished time in the past.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›Regular: + ed → worked, started, arrived (study → studied, stop → stopped).
- ›Irregular: go → went, have → had, make → made, say → said.
- ›Negative and questions: didn't / did + base verb.
- ›Time words: yesterday, last week, in 2019, two days ago.
Examples
- “We launched the product last March.”
- “She didn't send the invoice.”
- “Did you speak to the supplier?”
Watch out · After didn't / did, use the base verb: didn't went ✗ → didn't go ✓.
Your own example
Present perfect (experience · ever / never)
Talking about life experience without saying when.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›have / has + past participle (been, done, seen, worked).
- ›ever in questions: Have you ever…?
- ›never in negatives: I've never been to Asia.
- ›Also with already, just, yet.
Examples
- “Have you ever worked abroad?”
- “She's never missed a deadline.”
- “I've already sent the proposal.”
Watch out · With a finished time (yesterday, in 2020) use the past simple.
Your own example