Past Simple vs Present Perfect
01 · Quick explanation
Use Past Simple for a finished action at a stated past time (I visited Paris in 2019). Use Present Perfect for an action connected to now, with no exact time given (I have visited Paris).
02 · Full explanation
Past Simple describes completed actions at a definite past time: yesterday, in 2010, last week, two days ago. Present Perfect connects the past to the present: it is used for life experience (ever, never), recent actions (just), actions not yet done (yet), and results that matter now (already). Compare: I saw that film last night (definite time) vs I have seen that film (no time, experience). Never use Present Perfect with a definite past time word like yesterday or ago.
03 · Formula
04 · Affirmative
+ Past Simple: S + V2 · Present Perfect: S + have/has + V3
- I visited my grandmother last Sunday.
- She has already finished her homework.
05 · Negative
− S + did not + V · S + have/has + not + V3
- They didn't go to school yesterday.
- We haven't seen that film yet.
06 · Question
? Did + S + V? · Have/Has + S + V3?
- Did you call him two days ago?
- Have you ever been to London?
07 · Examples
ENI saw that film last night.
KZМен ол фильмді кеше кешке көрдім.
RUЯ посмотрел этот фильм вчера вечером.
ENI have seen that film three times.
KZМен ол фильмді үш рет көрдім.
RUЯ смотрел этот фильм три раза.
ENShe moved to Almaty in 2015.
KZОл 2015 жылы Алматыға көшті.
RUОна переехала в Алматы в 2015 году.
ENShe has lived in Almaty for six years.
KZОл Алматыда алты жылдан бері тұрады.
RUОна живёт в Алматы уже шесть лет.
ENHave you ever eaten sushi?
KZСіз еш уақытта суши жеп көрдіңіз бе?
RUТы когда-нибудь ел суши?
ENI just finished my homework.
KZМен үй тапсырмасын жаңа ғана бітірдім.
RUЯ только что закончил домашнее задание.
ENWe haven't visited our cousins yet.
KZБіз немере ағаларымызға әлі барған жоқпыз.
RUМы ещё не навещали наших двоюродных братьев.
ENHe already bought the tickets.
KZОл билеттерді қазірдің өзінде сатып алды.
RUОн уже купил билеты.
ENThey played football two hours ago.
KZОлар екі сағат бұрын футбол ойнады.
RUОни играли в футбол два часа назад.
ENHas she ever won a competition?
KZОл еш уақытта жарыс жеңіп көрді ме?
RUОна когда-нибудь выигрывала соревнование?
08 · Signal words
09 · Common mistakes
✗ I have seen him yesterday.
✓ I saw him yesterday.
Yesterday is a definite past time → Past Simple.
✗ She has went to Spain last year.
✓ She went to Spain last year.
Last year is a stated time → use Past Simple, not Present Perfect.
✗ Have you ever saw the pyramids?
✓ Have you ever seen the pyramids?
Present Perfect needs V3: seen, not saw.
10 · Compare with similar grammar
Past Simple vs Present Perfect
Past Simple tells us when something happened. Present Perfect tells us that something happened at an unknown or unimportant time, and the result matters now.
I lost my keys yesterday. (when)
I have lost my keys. (result now — I can't get in)
She wrote three letters this morning. (finished time period)
She has written three letters. (unspecified time)
11 · Interactive exercises
Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.
0 / 10 · 0 checked
1. Choose the correct answer:
I ___ to the cinema yesterday.
2. Choose the correct answer:
___ you ever been to Egypt?
3. Choose the correct answer:
She ___ her homework already.
4. Choose the correct answer:
We ___ our homework two hours ago.
5. Fill in the gap:
He ___ (not finish) his project yet.
6. Fill in the gap:
I ___ (visit) my grandparents last weekend.
7. Fill in the gap:
She ___ (just / arrive) at the airport.
8. Fill in the gap:
They ___ (move) to this city in 2018.
9. Correct the sentence:
I have bought a new phone last week.
10. Correct the sentence:
Did you ever tried Kazakh national food?
12 · Mini test
Question 1 / 5
Which sentence is correct?
13 · Practice
Choose a skill to practise this topic.