Past Simple vs Present Perfect
Past simple tense is used to talk about actions at a certain time in the past.
Present perfect tense talks about actions started or related to the past and is relevant to the present.
In this lesson, you’ll learn the differences and practise using them.
When to use past simple and present perfect tense?
Past Simple
- Actions that happened at certain times in the past.
- Common time expressions include; yesterday, last night, last week/year, an hour ago, the day before, in 2019 etc.
- E.g. The day before, I went to the new café on the high street.
Present Perfect
- Past actions which are relevant to the present, for example, life experiences, unfinished actions or a current result.
- Common time expressions include; since, for, ever, just, already, never, yet, this morning/evening etc.
- E.g. I have lost my keys. We have known each other since school. I haven’t finished the report yet.
Examples
We went to Greece last year on holiday.
I have never been to Japan.
We have just arrived at the hotel.
Practise
Fill the gaps with the past simple or present perfect verb.
Common mistakes learners make
- Using past simple time expressions with the present perfect
- Using present perfect to talk about past events
Common mistakes learners make
- Using past simple time expressions with the present perfect
- Using present perfect to talk about past events