/Tenses — Present Perfect
B1Tenses — Present Perfect

Present Perfect or Past Simple

1

What is it?

The difference between "I've seen that film" and "I saw that film" is one of the most important distinctions in English. Both refer to past events, but they carry different meanings. The past simple places an event at a specific, finished time in the past. The present perfect connects the past to the present — when the exact time is unknown, unimportant, or ongoing. Mastering this contrast will transform the accuracy of your English.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Past SimpleShe wentShe didn't goDid she go?
Present PerfectShe's gone / She has goneShe hasn't goneHas she gone?
  • • Past simple: past form of verb (went, worked, saw). With did/didn't for questions and negatives.
  • • Present perfect: have/has + past participle.
  • • The key distinction: past simple = finished time in the past. Present perfect = link to the present.
  • • Some time expressions only work with one tense (see usage rules).
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    Use PAST SIMPLE with specific past time expressions: yesterday, last week, in 2010, ago, when.

    "She called yesterday." / "I met him in 2019." / "They left an hour ago."

  2. 2

    Use PRESENT PERFECT with unspecified past time — when the time does not matter or is unknown.

    "She's called." / "I've met him." / "They've left."

  3. 3

    Use PAST SIMPLE when the action is in a finished time period (yesterday, last year, when I was young).

    "I studied French at school." / "We went to Greece last summer."

  4. 4

    Use PRESENT PERFECT in unfinished time periods: today, this week, this year.

    "I've had three meetings today." / "She's been to three conferences this year."

  5. 5

    Use PAST SIMPLE for a sequence of completed past events (storytelling).

    "She arrived, sat down, and ordered coffee."

  6. 6

    Use PRESENT PERFECT for experiences, recent news, changes, or situations still relevant now.

    "Have you heard? They've changed the schedule." / "Prices have gone up."

4

Common mistakes

I have seen him yesterday.

I saw him yesterday.

'Yesterday' is a specific past time — use past simple.

Did you ever try sushi?

Have you ever tried sushi?

'Ever' in questions about life experiences uses present perfect, not past simple.

She has moved to Berlin last year.

She moved to Berlin last year.

'Last year' is a specific finished time — use past simple.

5

Quick reference

  • Past simple = specific, finished time. Present perfect = no specific time, or still relevant.
  • Past simple signal words: yesterday, last..., ago, in + year, when.
  • Present perfect signal words: ever, never, just, already, yet, for, since, recently, this week.
  • Finished time period (last year) → past simple. Unfinished time period (this year) → present perfect.
  • Stories and narratives use past simple. Recent news and changes use present perfect.
  • Asking about a specific completed event? Past simple. Asking about general experience? Present perfect.
6

Natural conversation example

A host welcoming a guest back after a long absence.

H

Host

It's so good to see you! How long has it been?
G

Guest

I think I was last here about three years ago.
H

Host

So much has changed! Have you seen the new waterfront?
G

Guest

Not yet — I only arrived this morning. Did you say they built a new bridge?
H

Host

Yes! They finished it last year. It's stunning.
G

Guest

I've heard so much about it. I can't wait to see it.
H

Host

Have you eaten? I've made dinner.
G

Guest

I had something on the train, but that was hours ago. I'm starving!

Practice Exercises

Complete each sentence with the present perfect or past simple of the verb in brackets.

  1. 1.
    She (call) me this morning — she has some news.
  2. 2.
    I (not / finish) the report yet — I'm still working on it.
  3. 3.
    They (move) to a new flat last spring.
  4. 4.
    (you / ever / see) a live concert in an outdoor arena?
  5. 5.
    He (already / send) the files before I even asked.
  6. 6.
    She (graduate) in 2016 and immediately started working.
  7. 7.
    Prices (rise) sharply over the past few months.
  8. 8.
    I (see) him just now in the corridor — he looks worried.
  9. 9.
    We (not / speak) since the conference in March.
  10. 10.
    She (live) in three different countries when she was a child.
Present Perfect Continuous UseAll TopicsPresent Perfect Simple or Continuous

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