A. We do not use the present perfect (I have done) when we talk about a finished time (for example, yesterday / last year / ten minutes ago etc.). We use the past tense:
- It was very cold yesterday. (not has been)
- Paul and Lucy arrived ten minutes ago. (not have arrived)
- Did you eat a lot of sweets when you were a child? (not have you eaten)
- I got home late last night. I was very tired and went straight to bed.
Use the past to ask When ... ? or What time ... ? :
Example:
- When did your friends arrive? (not have ... arrived)
- What time did you finish work?
Compare:
|
Present Perfect: |
Past Simple: |
|
1. Tom has lost his key. He can’t get into the house. |
1. Tom lost his key yesterday. He couldn’t get into the house. |
|
2. 2. Is Carla here or has she left? |
2. When did Carla leave? |
B. Compare:
|
Present Perfect (I have done) We use the present perfect for a period of time that continues until now. For example: |
Past Simple (I did) 1. I did a lot of work yesterday. We use the past simple for a finished time in the past. For example: |
| 2. It hasn’t rained this week. | 2. It didn’t rain last week. |
| 3. Have you seen Anna this morning? (it is still morning now) | 3. Did you see Anna this morning? (it is now afternoon or evening) |
| 4. Have you seen Ben recently? (in the last few days or weeks) | 4. Did you see Ben on Sunday? |
| 5. I’ve been working here since 2010. (I still work here now) | 5. I worked here from 2010 to 2014. (I don’t work here now) |
| 6. I don’t know where Lisa is. I haven’t seen her. (=I haven’t seen her recently) | 6. A: Was Lisa at the party on Sunday? B: I don’t think so. I didn’t see her. |
| 7. Jack lives in Los Angeles. He has lived there for seven years. | 7. Jack lived in New York for ten years. Now he lives in Los Angeles. |
| 8. I’ve never ridden a horse. (in my life) | 8. I never rode a bike when I was a child. |
| 9. It’s the last day of your holiday. You say: It’s been a really good holiday. I’ve really enjoyed it. |
9. After you come back from holiday you say: It was a really good holiday. I really enjoyed it. |
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
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B1-B2 Grammar : Present Perfect and Past Simple 2 (I Have Done and I Did)
Choose the correct word.