B1business

Past Simple vs Present Perfect - Business English

Type your answer in each blank and press Enter to check it, or use Check answers below. A cue in (brackets) is the word to put in the right form.

Use the past simple for a finished action at a finished time, when you say (or both speakers know) exactly when it happened: "I sent the report yesterday." "We signed the contract in March." It pairs with time markers like yesterday, last week, in 2019, two days ago, and when.

Use the present perfect (have/has + past participle) when the past connects to now and the exact time is unimportant or unfinished. Three common cases: life experience ("I have worked with three suppliers in Asia"), a recent action with a present result ("She has just left the office, so she can't take your call"), and an unfinished time period, this week, today, so far ("We have closed four deals this month"). It pairs with ever, never, already, yet, just, recently, and so far. With for and since it describes something continuing up to now: "I have worked here for six years."

Two correct examples: "I met the client last Tuesday" (finished time) versus "I have already met the client, so I'll introduce you" (result matters now).

Common pitfall: do not put a finished-time word with the present perfect. "I have spoken to him yesterday" is wrong; say "I spoke to him yesterday." The moment you name a finished time, switch to the past simple.

Let's practise. Type each answer and press Enter, I'll check it with you.

  1. I (send) the quarterly report to the manager yesterday morning.
  2. We (already / sign) the contract with our new supplier.
  3. Mr. Henderson (work) for this corporation for over twenty years.
  4. They (meet) with the legal team last Tuesday to discuss the merger.
  5. (you / receive) my email regarding the budget cuts yet?
  6. The marketing department (launch) its new campaign three weeks ago.
  7. She (never / be) to the international branch in Singapore.
  8. We (not / finish) the presentation for tomorrow's meeting yet.
  9. The CEO (announce) the new restructuring plan during the conference call last night.
  10. How many clients (you / contact) so far this week?
  11. The IT team (fix) the server error two hours ago.
  12. Our company (expand) its operations into Europe recently.
  13. I (not / see) the latest sales figures from the London office.
  14. Last year, the firm (invest) heavily in renewable energy.
  15. (he / call) the client back after the negotiation ended?
  16. They (just / complete) the final stage of the project.
  17. We (have) a very productive brainstorming session this morning.
  18. The stock price (rise) significantly since the news broke.
  19. She (resign) from her position as Director of Operations last month.
  20. I (be) in several meetings since eight o'clock this morning.
  21. The board of directors (approve) the proposal during the last session.
  22. (they / ever / work) with a freelance consultant before?
  23. The technician (repair) my laptop yesterday afternoon.
  24. We (not / hear) from the potential investors for a few weeks.
  25. The project manager (give) us the deadline during yesterday's briefing.

Common questions

When should I use the present perfect instead of the past simple in business English?

Use the present perfect when the time isn't stated or the period is unfinished and the result matters now: 'I have sent you the figures' (you have them now) or 'We have hired two people this quarter' (the quarter continues). Switch to the past simple once you name a finished time: 'I sent the figures on Monday.'

Why is 'I have finished the report yesterday' wrong?

Because 'yesterday' is a finished time, and the present perfect cannot be used with a finished-time expression. Name a finished time and you must use the past simple: 'I finished the report yesterday.' Keep the present perfect for unstated or unfinished times: 'I have finished the report' or 'I have finished it today.'

What is the difference between 'for' and 'since' with the present perfect?

Both describe something continuing up to now, but 'for' takes a length of time and 'since' takes a starting point. Say 'I have worked here for three years' (a duration) and 'I have worked here since 2022' (a start point). A quick test: if it answers 'how long?', use 'for'; if it answers 'starting when?', use 'since'.