Past Simple vs Present Perfect

Past Simple is for finished actions at a specific, stated time in the past. Present Perfect is for actions at an unspecified past time, or actions that connect to the present. Yesterday, in 2020, and last week point to Past Simple; ever, never, already, just, yet, since, and for point to Present Perfect.

Review: Past Simple · Present Perfect

Practice sentences

1. I ___ (visit) Paris last year. (visited / have visited / have been visited)

   "Last year" is a specific finished past time — Past Simple.

2. ___ (you/ever/be) to Japan? (Have you ever been / Did you ever be / Have you ever went)

   "Ever" asks about unspecified past experience — Present Perfect.

3. She ___ (lose) her keys yesterday. (lost / has lost / has losed)

   "Yesterday" is a specific past time — Past Simple.

4. I ___ (already/finish) my homework. (have already finished / has already finished / have already finish)

   "Already" signals a completed action relevant now — Present Perfect.

5. He ___ (start) working here in 2019. (started / has started / has start)

   "In 2019" is a specific finished past time — Past Simple.

6. We ___ (not/see) that film yet. (haven't seen / didn't see / haven't saw)

   "Yet" in a negative statement about an unfinished expectation — Present Perfect.

7. They ___ (get) married two years ago. (got / have got / have gotten)

   "Two years ago" is a specific past time — Past Simple.

8. I ___ (live) here since 2015. (have lived / lived / am living)

   "Since" plus a starting point, continuing to now — Present Perfect.

9. She ___ (call) me an hour ago. (called / has called / has call)

   "An hour ago" is a specific past time — Past Simple.

10. I ___ (just/eat) — I'm not hungry. (have just eaten / has just eaten / have just ate)

    "Just" signals something completed very recently, relevant now — Present Perfect.