Remember:
[Link] use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the
present.
[Link] use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening
now OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
[Link] CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word:
•NOT: I've been to the museum yesterday.
What's the difference? Present Perfect and Past Simple
Present Perfect Simple Past Simple
Unfinished actions that started in the past
Finished actions:
and continue to the present:
• I knew Julie for ten years (but then she moved away
• I've known Julie for ten years (and I still
and we lost touch).
know her).
A life experience (when the person is
still alive: life experience): When the person is dead:
• My brother has been to Mexico three • My great-grandmother went to Mexico three times.
time
An action with a result in the present: A finished action with no result in the present:
• I've lost my keys! (The result is that I • I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible! (Now there is
can't get into my house now). no result.).
With an unfinished time word (this week, With a finished time word (last week, last month,
this month, today): yesterday):
• I've seen John this week. • I saw John last week.
Change the verb into the correct form of the past simple or
present perfect
1) Last night I …..............................................(lose) my keys - I had to call my flatmate to let me in.
2) I …................................................................(lose) my keys - can you help me look for them?
3) I …...............................................................................(visit) Paris three times.
4) Last year I …....................................................................(visit) Paris.
5) I ….............................(know) my great grandmother for a few years - she died when I was eight.
6) I …......................................................(know) Julie for three years - we still meet once a month.
7) I …..............................................................(play) Hockey since I was a child - I'm pretty good!
8) She …..............................................................(play) hockey at school but she didn't like it.
9) I ….............................................................(miss) the bus – now I'm going to be late.
10) I …......................................................(miss) the bus and then I …....................................(miss)
the aeroplane as well!
11) Last month I ….....................................................(go) to Scotland.
12) I'm sorry, John isn't here now. He …........................................................(go) to the shops.
13) We …............................................................(finish) this room last week.
14) I …..................................................................(finish) my exams finally - I'm so happy!
15) Yesterday, I …................................................................(see) all of my friends. It was great.
16) I …......................................................................(see) Julie three times this week.
17) She …...............................................................................(live) in London since 1994.
18) She …...........................................................(live) in London when she was a child.
19) I …..................................................................(drink) three cups of coffee today.
20) I …........................................................................(drink) three cups of coffee yesterday.
Choose the present perfect or past simple:
1. I _________________ (see) three police cars this morning (it’s still morning).
2. After he _________________ (arrive) home, he _________________ (unpack) and
_________________ (go) to bed early.
3. A: What’s wrong? B: I _________________ (break) a glass!
4. My grandparents only _________________ (know) each other for a few months before they
_________________ (get) married.
5. I _________________ (be) in London for three years. I love it here.
6. We _________________ (see) Julie last night.
7. He _________________ (be) a teacher and then he _________________ (become) a
musician.
8. When the boss _________________ (walk) into the room, we _________________ (know)
someone was going to get fired.
9. The children _________________ (break) a window in the school last week.
10. He _________________ (see) that film last year.
11. Lucy _________________ (break) her leg, so she can’t come skiing.
12. Julie _________________ (arrive)! Come and say hello!
13. They _________________ (be) cold when they _________________ (arrive) home.
14. Jack _________________ (break) his arm when he _________________ (fall) off a horse
in 2005.
15. I _________________ (know) about the problem for months, but I _________________
(not / find) a solution yet.
16. A: When _________________ (you / arrive)? At 10pm last night.
17. She _________________ (be) a teacher for ten years, and she still enjoys it.
18. How long _________________ (you / know) Jill? I know you see her often.
19. I _________________ (see) the sea before.
20. A: Hello B: Hi Mum, it’s me. I just wanted to say I _________________ (arrive) safely and
everything is fine.
1. We _________________ (go) to the theatre last week.
2. Yesterday I _________________ (have) dinner with a friend.
3. I _________________ (never / taste) champagne.
4. When I _________________ (be) a child, I _________________ (love) ice skating.
5. I _________________ (not/ have) any coffee today – I feel very sleepy!
6. I _________________ (not / drink) any coffee yesterday.
7. I _________________ (read) all his books – I think he’s a wonderful writer.
8. What _________________ (you do) at the weekend?
9. I_________________ (always / love) tea – I drink it every day.
10. What subject _________________ (she / study) at university?
11. John _________________ (lose) his bus pass – can he borrow some money?
12. How long _________________ (you / know) Susie for?
13. He _________________ (be) married for ten years (but he got divorced).
14. _________________ (you / ever / go) to Central Park in New York?
15. How many books _________________ (she / write) so far?
16. He _________________ (wash) the dishes, _________________ (clean) the living room
and _________________ (cook) dinner last night.
17. My great-grandfather never _________________ (leave) Scotland. ( he's dead)
18. She _________________ (come) to London in 1997.
19. She _________________ (never / see) snow before.
20. He _________________ (be) married for thirty-five years (and he’s still married now).