B1daily

Past Simple vs Present Perfect - Daily 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 (lose) my keys somewhere in the house.
  2. We (visit) Paris three years ago.
  3. She (never / eat) sushi before.
  4. They (move) to this neighborhood in 2015.
  5. (you / see) that new movie yet?
  6. He (buy) a new car last week.
  7. My brother (not / finish) his homework yet.
  8. We (go) to the beach every summer when I was a child.
  9. I (be) very busy all morning.
  10. Sarah (start) her new job yesterday.
  11. (they / ever / travel) to Asia?
  12. The weather (be) terrible during our holiday last month.
  13. I (not / see) Mark since our graduation.
  14. My parents (meet) at a music festival in 1998.
  15. How many times (you / visit) London?
  16. She (forget) her umbrella on the bus this morning.
  17. We (already / cook) dinner, so we are ready to eat.
  18. He (live) in Spain for two years when he was a student.
  19. I (just / finish) reading this amazing book.
  20. They (not / call) me yesterday.
  21. (she / arrive) at the airport on time?
  22. It (not / rain) for several weeks.
  23. I (spend) all my money on that shopping trip last Friday.
  24. My friend (be) a vegetarian since she was a teenager.
  25. Who (tell) you that secret?

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'.