Present Perfect vs. Past Simple
Practice present perfect vs. past simple with interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises. This unit is part of the complexity level of our English grammar course, designed for PTE and IELTS test takers.
tenses
past-simple
present-perfect
time-markers
Read & Listen
1
It can be tricky to know when to use Present Perfect and when to use Past Simple. The main rule depends on 'finished time'.
2
If you mention a specific, finished time in the past (like yesterday, last year, in 2010), you must use the Past Simple. For example, 'I went to Paris in 2015.'
3
If the time period is not finished (like today, this week) or you don't mention the time at all because it's a life experience, use the Present Perfect. For example, 'I have been to Paris.'
Practice
Your progress
0 / 10 done
1
easy
I
a great movie yesterday. (see)
2
easy
I
three movies so far this week. (see)
3
medium
She
to New York in 2019. (go)
4
medium
She
to New York many times in her life. (be)
5
easy
We
at that restaurant last night. (eat)
6
hard
you ever eaten sushi? (Question)
7
hard
When
you eat sushi for the first time? (Question helper)
8
medium
I
my keys! I can't find them anywhere. (lose)
9
medium
I
my keys yesterday, but I found them this morning. (lose)
10
hard
Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet. (write)