Use the Simple Past when the action happened at a finished time in the past.
Ask yourself: When did it happen? If you can answer with a finished time (yesterday, last year, in 2020, two hours ago), use the Simple Past.
Subject + past tense verb
- I visited Boston.
- She bought a new phone.
- They arrived late.
Common time expressions
- yesterday
- last week/month/year
- in 2018
- two days ago
- this morning (if the morning is over)
- when I was a child
Examples
- I saw that movie yesterday.
- We met in 2022.
- She finished her homework an hour ago.
Use the Present Perfect when the exact time is not important or the action has a connection to the present.
Ask yourself: Is the result or experience important now? If yes, use the Present Perfect.
Subject + have/has + past participle
- I have visited Boston.
- She has bought a new phone.
- They have arrived.
The Four Main Uses of the Present Perfect
1️⃣ The time doesn’t matter.
- I have been to Japan.
- She has never ridden a horse.
- Have you ever eaten sushi?
2️⃣ An Action That Happened Recently
| Usually with: | Examples: |
| just | I’ve just finished. |
| already | She’s already left. |
| yet | Have you eaten yet? |
3️⃣ An Action That Started in the Past and Continues Now ( The action is still true now. )
| Often with: | Examples: |
| for | I have lived here for ten years. |
| since | She has worked here since 2020. |
4️⃣ A Past Action with a Present Result
Examples:
- I’ve lost my keys.
(I don’t have them now.) - She’s broken her leg.
(Her leg is still broken.) - We’ve missed the bus.
(We’re still waiting.)
The Golden Rule
Simple Past = Finished Time
When did it happen?
- yesterday
- last week
- in 2015
- two hours ago
Present Perfect = Unfinished Time or Present Connection
Has it happened before now?
Compare the Difference
Example one:
| Simple Past | Present Perfect |
| I lost my keys yesterday. | I’ve lost my keys. |
| (The time is important.) | (The result is important—I can’t find them.) |
Example two:
| Simple Past | Present Perfect |
| Did you eat breakfast this morning? | Have you eaten breakfast today? |
| (The morning is finished.) | (Today is not finished.) |
Example three:
| Simple Past | Present Perfect |
| She worked here from 2018 to 2022. | She has worked here since 2018. |
| (She doesn’t work here anymore.) | (She still works here.) |
Signal Words
| Simple Past | Present Perfect |
| yesterday | ever |
| last… | never |
| ago | already |
| in ( 2010 ) | yet |
| when I was… | just |
| then | since |
| before | for |
| after | recently |
| If you see one of these, the Simple Past is almost always correct. | lately |
| so far | |
| up to now | |
| this week (if the week isn’t over) | |
| today (if today isn’t over) |
