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Grammar Worksheet

Present Perfect or Past Simple?

B1 finished past time vs life experience / unfinished time
Explanation

Use the past simple when the time is finished or specific: yesterday, in 2020, last week.

Use the present perfect for life experience when the exact time is not important.

Use the present perfect with unfinished time expressions like today, this week, and this year.

Form
MeaningTenseExample
Finished timepast simpleI saw that film last night.
Experiencepresent perfectI have seen that film.
Unfinished timepresent perfectI have sent three emails today.

If you say when, usually use past simple.

If the time period is still open, use present perfect.

Examples
  1. I went to London in 2022.
  2. I have been to London three times.
  3. She has finished her homework already.
  4. She finished her homework before dinner.
  5. We have not had lunch yet.
  6. We had lunch at one o’clock.
  7. Did you see Tom yesterday?
  8. Have you ever met a famous person?
Common Mistakes
Exercises
1 Choose the tense

Write PS for past simple or PP for present perfect.

  1. I saw him yesterday.
  2. Have you ever tried sushi?
  3. She has not called me today.
  4. We visited Rome in 2019.
  5. They have already left.
2 Correct the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

  1. I have met her last week.
  2. Did you ever eat Thai food?
  3. He has finished the report yesterday.
  4. We did not see that film yet.
3 Complete the sentences

Use the past simple or present perfect form.

  1. I (see) that film twice.
  2. We (go) to the beach last Sunday.
  3. She (not / finish) her project yet.
  4. They (move) here in 2021.
  5. you ever (lose) your keys?
4 Add a time expression

Complete each sentence with a logical time expression.

  1. I went to Paris ...
  2. I have been to Paris ...
  3. She has sent five messages ...
  4. She sent five messages ...
5 Interview

Write two experience questions and two finished-time questions.

  1. Have you ever ...?
  2. Have you ever ...?
  3. Did you ... last week?
  4. When did you last ...?
Speaking Activity

Ask your partner about experiences, then ask when.

Use present perfect for the first question and past simple for details.