Past Simple or Present Perfect? Difference & Exercises

Have you ever asked yourself that question: Past Simple or Present Perfect? These are two tenses that are used to talk about the past, but they are used in different ways. Test yourself here:

Was this too hard? Study the article below and do the exercises at the bottom of the page. Practice is key.

Present Perfect
Past Simple
Key Difference: Past Simple or Present Perfect?
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Exercises on Past Simple or Present Perfect

Present Perfect

We use the present perfect to talk about something that happened in the past, but we don’t say exactly when it happened. It’s often used to show a connection to now.

Structure: have/has + past participle
Examples:

I have visited Paris. (It doesn’t say when.)
She has finished her homework. (The result is important now.)

To study all about the Present Perfect Tense, click here.

Past Simple

We use the past simple to talk about something that happened at a specific time in the past. The time is often mentioned or clear from the context.

Structure: verb + -ed (for regular verbs) or the second column for irregular verbs.
Examples:

I visited Paris last year. (It tells us when.)
She finished her homework yesterday.

To study all about the Past Simple, click here.

Key Difference: Past Simple or Present Perfect?

Present Perfect: Focuses on the result or connection to now.
Past Simple: Focuses on when the action happened.

Compare:

Present Perfect: “I have seen that movie.” (It doesn’t say when.)
Past Simple: “I saw that movie last night.” (It tells us when.)

This makes their meanings clear and useful in different situations.

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Exercises on Past Simple or Present Perfect

EXERCISE: Past Simple or Present Perfect – Fill the gaps

Fill the gaps by correctly conjugating the verb given.

Example: I ______ sports yesterday. (do)

Answer: did

1 / 10

She her work yet. (not finish)

2 / 10

She her homework last night. (not finish)

3 / 10

We at the airport. (just arrive)

4 / 10

He his keys at the office yesterday. (leave)

5 / 10

He abroad. (never be)

6 / 10

We lunch at 1 p.m. It was earlier. (not have)

7 / 10

They here since March. (live)

8 / 10

I this movie before. (not see)

9 / 10

I a great movie last Sunday. (see)

10 / 10

They to Paris in 2020. (move)

Your score is

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