Present Perfect vs. Past Simple

Hook

“I have visited Paris” and “I visited Paris in 2019” are both true — but only one is grammatically possible. Can you tell which?

Notice

“I have visited Paris.” (no specific time) — “I visited Paris in 2019.” (specific time) — “She has already finished.” vs. “She finished yesterday.”

Rule

Use present perfect when the exact time isn’t mentioned or doesn’t matter — the focus is on the experience or result. Use past simple when you give or ask about a specific, finished time (yesterday, in 2019, last week, when I was young). Never mix them: “I have visited Paris last year” is incorrect — it should be “I visited Paris last year.”

Practice

  1. I ______ (see) that film. It was great. Answer: have seen
  2. I ______ (see) that film last Friday. Answer: saw
  3. She ______ (live) in London for two years now. Answer: has lived
  4. He ______ (move) to London in 2015. Answer: moved
  5. ______ you ______ (finish) your homework yet? Answer: Have, finished

Connect

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This lesson supports: I can describe experiences and events using simple language.

Azizul Hakim
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