Present Perfect and Past 2
More on choosing between present perfect and past simple
Finished Time = Past Simple
When you talk about a finished time — yesterday, last week, ten minutes ago, in 2019 — use the past simple, not the present perfect.
- It was very cold yesterday. (not
has been) - Paul and Lucy arrived ten minutes ago. (not
have arrived) - I got home late last night. I was very tired and went straight to bed.
Questions with When…? and What time…? always take the past simple, because they ask about a finished moment:
- When did your colleagues arrive? (not
have your colleagues arrived) - What time did you finish work?
Present Perfect vs. Past Simple — Side by Side
The present perfect connects the past to now. The past simple is about a time that is over.
| Present perfect (still connected to now) | Past simple (finished time) |
|---|---|
| Tom has lost his key. He can’t get into the office. | Tom lost his key yesterday. He couldn’t get into the office. |
| Is Carla here or has she left? | When did Carla leave? |
Unfinished vs. Finished Time Periods
This is the core distinction. If the time period is still going on, use the present perfect. If it is over, use the past simple.
| Unfinished (present perfect) | Finished (past simple) |
|---|---|
| I‘ve done a lot of work today. | I did a lot of work yesterday. |
| It hasn’t rained this week. | It didn’t rain last week. |
| Emily has earned a lot of money this year. | She didn’t earn so much last year. |
Watch out for this morning. The right tense depends on when you are speaking:
- Have you seen Anna this morning? — it is still morning now.
- Did you see Anna this morning? — it is now afternoon or evening. The morning is over.
Still True Now vs. No Longer True
When a situation started in the past and still continues now, use the present perfect. When it is no longer true, use the past simple.
| Still true now (present perfect) | No longer true (past simple) |
|---|---|
| I‘ve been working here since 2010. (I still work here.) | I worked here from 2010 to 2014. (I don’t work here now.) |
| We‘ve been waiting for an hour. (We are still waiting.) | We waited for an hour. (We are no longer waiting.) |
| Jack has lived in Los Angeles for seven years. (He still lives there.) | Jack lived in New York for ten years. Now he lives in Los Angeles. |
“In My Life” vs. “At a Specific Past Time”
Use the present perfect for experiences across your whole life (up to now). Use the past simple when you are talking about a specific past period.
- I‘ve never ridden a horse. (in my life, up to now)
- I never rode a bike when I was a child. (a specific past period — childhood)
On Holiday vs. After Holiday
If an experience or period is still happening, use the present perfect. Once it is over, switch to the past simple.
- On the last day of a business trip: It’s been a really productive trip. I‘ve really enjoyed it.
- Back at the office the following week: It was a really productive trip. I really enjoyed it.
Quick Self-Check
I _____ the report last Friday, so it should be in your inbox.
Select your answer:
Our team _____ three new clients this quarter. (The quarter is still ongoing.)
Select your answer:
When _____ the shipment arrive?
Select your answer:
Sara _____ in the marketing department for five years. She still works there.
Select your answer:
I _____ Mr. Tanaka at the conference yesterday, but I _____ his colleague before.
Select your answer: