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Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Level: B1 · Free grammar guide

H1: Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Direct answer

Use the Past Simple for actions that finished at a specific time in the past. Use the Present Perfect when the time is not given, when the result matters now, or when the time period isn't finished yet (today, this week). The key question is: Am I talking about WHEN it happened, or about the RESULT now?

The rule / form box

Past Simple

Present Perfect

Signal words

Past SimplePresent PerfectBoth (meaning changes)
yesterday, last week / month / year, in 2019, ago, when I was young, When...?ever, never, just, already, yet, since, so far, today / this week / this year (when that time isn't finished)for

Comparison table

Past SimplePresent Perfect
TimeFinished, specificUnspecified, or connected to now
QuestionWhen did it happen?Has it happened? / How long?
ExampleI saw that film last Friday.I have seen that film.
With "for"I lived here for five years. = finished, I don't live here now.I have lived here for five years. = still true, I live here now.
With "since" (from a point in the past until now)❌ I lived here since 2020.✅ I have lived here since 2020.

British and American English: British English usually says "I've just finished." American English often uses the Past Simple with just, already and yet: "I just finished." "Did you eat yet?" Both are correct. The exercises on this page follow British English.

Examples (12)

  1. I bought a new bike yesterday. (Past Simple — specific time: yesterday)
  2. I have bought a new bike. (Present Perfect — the news matters now)
  3. She lived in Paris from 2018 to 2021. (Past Simple — finished period)
  4. My brother has lived in Rome since 2022. (Present Perfect — still lives there)
  5. We saw the new exhibition last weekend. (Past Simple — when: last weekend)
  6. We have seen the new exhibition. (Present Perfect — we know it, no time given)
  7. He lost his keys this morning. (Past Simple — specific time, finished)
  8. He has lost his keys. (Present Perfect — result now: he can't open the door)
  9. They have already eaten lunch. (Present Perfect — already, result: not hungry)
  10. Did you watch the match last night? (Past Simple — question about a specific time)
  11. I've drunk three coffees today. (Present Perfect — today isn't finished yet)
  12. I drank three coffees yesterday. (Past Simple — yesterday is finished)

    13. Common mistakes

    ❌ I have seen him yesterday.

    ✅ I saw him yesterday. (Present Perfect does not go with a finished past time word like "yesterday", "last week", "in 2019", "ago".)

    ❌ I have lived in Toronto for three years ago.

    ✅ I have lived in Toronto for three years. / I lived in Toronto three years ago. ("For" + Present Perfect, no "ago". "Ago" + Past Simple.)

    ❌ Have you ever went to Japan?

    ✅ Have you ever been to Japan? (After have / has, use the past participle, not the past simple (went). The past participle of go is gone, but for visits we use been: 'Have you ever been to Japan?' = Did you go there and come back?)

    ❌ She has finished school in 2020.

    ✅ She finished school in 2020. (A finished year → Past Simple.)

    ❌ I didn't have seen that film.

    ✅ I haven't seen that film. / I didn't see that film. (Negative Present Perfect: haven't + past participle. Negative Past Simple: didn't + base verb.)

    ❌ When have you arrived?

    ✅ When did you arrive? (Questions with When ask about a specific time → Past Simple.)

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    Exercises (18)

    Instructions: Choose the correct answer. Each answer shows an explanation.

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    Exercises

    Choose the correct answer. You will see the explanation after checking.

    1. I ___ my passport last week.
    2. She ___ at this company since 2020.
    3. ___ you ever ___ sushi?
    4. We ___ to the beach yesterday.
    5. He ___ just ___ his exam results.
    6. So far this year, we ___ three new teachers.
    7. They ___ here for five years, but they moved away in 2023.
    8. ___ she ___ the email yet?
    9. I ___ him at the conference in March.
    10. The train ___ already ___.
    11. Choose the correct sentence:
    12. How long ___ you ___ your car?
    13. She ___ never ___ to a concert.
    14. We ___ our grandparents last Sunday.
    15. When ___ you ___ your new job?
    16. Shakespeare ___ many famous plays.
    17. He ___ in London since he was a child.
    18. They ___ the project last month, and the client is happy with the result.

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