Past Simple vs Present Perfect: When to Use Which?

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Why These Tenses Confuse Learners

Both Past Simple und Present Perfect describe past events. The difference is not always clear, especially for learners whose native languages use only one past form. Let’s break it down step by step.

Past Simple — Finished Time

We use Past Simple when the action is completely finished and the time is clear (yesterday, last year, in 2010).

• I visited London in 2020.
• She watched a movie yesterday.
• They didn’t go to school last Monday.

👉 Form: subject + verb + -ed (or irregular form).

• I worked, she played, we went.

Present Perfect — Connection to Now

We use Present Perfect when the past has a link to the present. The action may continue, or the time is not finished.

• I have visited London twice. (experience, not when)
• She has just finished her homework. (recent result)
• We have lived here for five years. (started in the past, still true now)

👉 Form: have/has + past participle.

• I have worked, she has gone, they have seen.

Time Expressions That Decide It

• Past Simple: I met her last week.
• Present Perfect: I have never met her before.

American vs British Usage

• American English often prefers Past Simple even when Present Perfect is possible:
  • AmE: Did you eat yet?
  • BrE: Have you eaten yet?
• Both are correct, but know your audience.

Common Mistakes

❌ I have seen him yesterday.
✔️ I saw him yesterday. (time is finished)

❌ Did you ever visit Rome? (American casual, but not formal)
✔️ Have you ever visited Rome? (neutral English)

❌ We lived here for five years. (if still true now)
✔️ We have lived here for five years.

Quick Timeline

• Past Simple → action finished, time closed.
• Present Perfect → action connected to now, time open.

Beispiel:

• She studied French last year. (finished)
• She has studied French since last year. (still continues)

Mini Quiz

Choose the correct option:

1. I ___ (see) that movie last night.
   → saw (Past Simple)
2. She ___ (finish) her homework just now.
   → has finished (Präsens Perfekt)
3. They ___ (live) in Paris for 10 years (still live there).
   → have lived
4. We ___ (be) friends when we were children.
   → were

FAQ

Q: Can I use “yesterday” with Present Perfect?
A: No. “Yesterday” is a finished time → Past Simple.

Q: What’s the difference between “Have you ever” and “Did you ever”?
A: Have you ever is neutral and standard. Did you ever is mostly American and informal.

Q: Can Present Perfect describe actions that continue?
A: Yes: I have worked here since 2018. (still true now).

Final Tips

• Use Past Simple with finished times.
• Use Present Perfect for experiences, results, or ongoing situations.
• Pay attention to time expressions — they often decide the tense.
• Remember AmE vs BrE differences if you take exams.

Mehr erforschen

Read more about how grammar shows meaning in this article from the expert column:
👉 Echte Sprache ist nie wörtlich zu nehmen

© Author’s concept by Tymur Levitin — founder, director, and lead teacher of Levitin-Sprachschule (Start Language School by Tymur Levitin).