Tense Contrasts

Present Perfect vs. Past Simple

Practice choosing between the present perfect and past simple in context.

The Core Decision

Use the past simple when the action is finished and tied to a specific, completed time (yesterday, in 2019, last week). Use the present perfect when the time is unspecified or the action connects to now (with already, yet, ever, since, for, or recent results).

Side by Side

	Present Perfect	Past Simple
Use when	The exact time is not stated, or the past action still matters now (life experience, recent news, ongoing situations).	The action is finished and happened at a specific, known time in the past.
Signal words	already, yet, just, ever, never, so far, since, for, recently, lately	yesterday, last night, ago, in 2010, when I was young, this morning (if over)
Example	I have visited Paris three times.	I visited Paris in 2019.

Common Confusions

Using the present perfect with a finished time word: say "I saw her yesterday," not "I have seen her yesterday." If a specific past time is named, use the past simple.
Using the past simple with 'since' or 'for' about something still true now: say "I have lived here for five years," not "I lived here for five years" (if you still live here).
Mixing them with 'just,' 'already,' and 'yet' — in American English these recent-time words pair naturally with the present perfect: "I have already eaten."

Practice

I ___ my keys yesterday, but luckily I found them again this morning.

She ___ to Japan three times, and she wants to go again.

___ you ___ your homework yet?

We ___ that movie last Friday at the theater downtown.

I'm not hungry because I ___ already ___ lunch.

When ___ you ___ your new car?

He ___ here since 2015, so he knows the neighborhood well.

My grandmother ___ in that house when she was a child.

Ithis book three times; it's my favorite.

Weto the beach last weekend.

Generate 5 more practice questions

Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

→