Present Perfect vs Past Simple Exercises

Past Simple vs Present Perfect - Exercises

These exercises focus on Past Simple vs Present Perfect

Past Simple talks about finished actions at a specific time in the past.
Present Perfect talks about past actions with a connection to the present.

Key Differences Between Past Simple and Present Perfect

Feature	Past Simple	Present Perfect
When do we use it?	For actions completed in the past	For actions with a connection to now
Time reference	We say when it happened (yesterday, last week, in 2010, etc.)	No specific time (ever, never, just, already, yet, since, for)
Example sentence	I saw that movie last night.	I have seen that movie.
Finished or unfinished time?	Finished time (Last year, last week, yesterday, in 2005)	Unfinished time (This week, this year, in my life)

How to Form Past Simple vs. Present Perfect

Past Simple

[Subject] + [verb in past]

Subject	Verb (Past Simple)
I	ate
You	saw
He/She/It	went
We	visited
They	worked

Example Sentences:

I watched a movie last night.
She went to Paris in 2021.
They studied English when they were younger.

Present Perfect

[Subject] + [have/has] + [past participle]

Subject	Have/Has	Past Participle
I	have	seen
You	have	eaten
He/She/It	has	gone
We	have	done
They	have	written

Example Sentences:

I have watched that movie before.
She has been to Paris three times.
They have studied English for many years.

Time Expressions: Past Simple vs. Present Perfect

Use with Past Simple	Use with Present Perfect
Yesterday	Ever / Never
Last night	Just / Already
Last week	Yet
In 2010	Since / For
When I was a child	So far / Recently
Two days ago	This week / This month

Past Simple vs. Present Perfect in Different Situations

1. When Talking About Finished vs. Unfinished Time

❌ Incorrect: I have seen that movie yesterday.
✅ Correct: I saw that movie yesterday. (Past Simple → "yesterday" is a finished time)

✅ Correct: I have seen that movie before. (Present Perfect → No time is mentioned)

2. When Talking About Life Experiences

✅ Correct: I have traveled to Japan. (Present Perfect → Experience in life)
✅ Correct: I traveled to Japan in 2018. (Past Simple → Specific year is mentioned)

3. When Talking About Recent Actions

✅ Correct: She has just finished her homework. (Present Perfect → Recently finished, no time mentioned)
✅ Correct: She finished her homework an hour ago. (Past Simple → Specific time: "an hour ago")

Common Mistakes

1. Using Present Perfect with a Specific Past Time

❌ I have visited London in 2015.
✅ I visited London in 2015.

2. Using Past Simple Without a Time Expression

❌ She went to the store. (This is correct only if the time is clear from context.)
✅ She has gone to the store. (If we don’t say when.)

3. Forgetting "have/has" in Present Perfect

❌ I been to Spain.
✅ I have been to Spain.

Everyday Conversations: Past Simple vs. Present Perfect

At a job interview:

Interviewer: Have you ever worked in customer service? (Present Perfect – Life experience)
You: Yes, I worked in a café last year. (Past Simple – Specific time)

Talking to a friend:

I have just finished my book. Have you read it? (Present Perfect – No time)
Yes! I read it last summer. (Past Simple – Specific time)

FAQs about Past Simple vs. Present Perfect

When should I use Past Simple instead of Present Perfect?

Use Past Simple when you mention a specific time (I visited New York in 2019).

Can I use “ever” and “never” with Past Simple?

No! Ever and never are only used with Present Perfect (I have never been to China).

What is the difference between “I have gone” and “I went”?

I have gone to the store. (Present Perfect → I am still at the store.)
I went to the store. (Past Simple → I went and came back.)

Can I use Present Perfect with "yesterday"?

No. "Yesterday" is a finished time. Use Past Simple (I saw him yesterday).

How do I know if a sentence needs Present Perfect?

If the action has a connection to now, use Present Perfect (I have lost my keys → I still don’t have them).