Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[paride1970]

Dear ESL Teachers:

Should I use the present perfect or the simple past/past simple in the following sentences?

1) Over the past (last) year, our company's sales increased by 85%.

2) Over the past (last) year, our company's sales has increased by 85%.

3) During the past (last) year, our company's sales increased by 85%.

4) During the past (last) year, our company's sales has increased by 85%.

5) In the past (last) year, our company's sales increased by 85%.

6) In the past (last) year, our company's sales has increased by 85%.

Thank you.

[Lorikeet]

[bethanycraft]

Hi! In all of these situations, the past simple works. If you want to use the present perfect, you need to change has to have(sales have). When you use the past simple, it gives the idea that the year is over and the sales increased in that fixed period of time. When you use the present perfect, it implies that the sales have been increasing for a year and are continuing to do so.

I have
You have
He/She/It has
We have
They have

I hope this helps!

Bethany
www.craftenglishtutoring.com