Present Perfect or Past Simple?

• CEFR B1
• Grammar
• Printable
• Answer key

Present Perfect or Past Simple? is a printable grammar worksheet for English language learners at CEFR level B1. It covers finished past time vs life experience / unfinished time, with 5 exercises and an answer key.

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.

Examples

• I went to London in 2022.
• I have been to London three times.
• She has finished her homework already.
• She finished her homework before dinner.
• We have not had lunch yet.
• We had lunch at one o clock.
• Did you see Tom yesterday?
• Have you ever met a famous person?

What's in this worksheet

1. Choose the tense
2. Correct the mistake
3. Complete the sentences
4. Add a time expression
5. Interview

Common mistakes

• I have seen him yesterday.  →  I saw him yesterday. Yesterday is finished time, so use past simple.
• Did you ever go to Italy?  →  Have you ever been to Italy? Use present perfect for life experience.
• She has bought a car last year.  →  She bought a car last year. Last year is finished time.
• I did not finish yet.  →  I have not finished yet. Use present perfect with yet.

Speaking prompts

• Have you ever travelled alone? When did you do it?
• Have you ever lost something important? What happened?
• Have you tried a new food this year? What was it?
• Did you watch a film last weekend? What did you watch?