PRESENT PERFECT VS PAST SIMPLE (A2 Grammar)

Choose based on time: specific time = Past Simple, no time or continuing = Present Perfect.

Quick tip: Time words: yesterday/last week/ago = Past Simple. Since/for/just/yet = Present Perfect.

Simple Past: specific time mentioned

Use Past Simple when you say WHEN (yesterday, last week, in 2020).

• I saw that movie last week.
• She went to Paris in 2019.
• We met them yesterday.
• He called me at 5pm.

Present Perfect: no specific time

Use Present Perfect when exact time is NOT important or mentioned.

• I have seen that movie.
• She has been to Paris.
• We have met them before.
• He has called me.

Present Perfect: unfinished time

Use for actions that continue to now or affect now.

• I have lived here since 2020.
• She has worked there for 5 years.
• I've lost my keys!
• We have read 3 books this week.

Common mistakes

• Not "I have seen him yesterday" — say "I saw him yesterday". Specific time = Past Simple.
• Not "I lived here since 2020" — say "I have lived here since 2020". Since shows continuing action.

Practise it

Look for time words! Yesterday/ago = Past Simple. Since/for/this week = Present Perfect.