Do you sometimes wonder: Should I say “I have seen that movie” or “I saw that movie”? You’re not alone! The present perfect and past simple are close friends—but they don’t always go to the same parties. In this post, you’ll learn when to use each tense, the key time expressions, and some cultural differences (British vs American English). Then you’ll practice with interactive exercises to make it stick.

The big idea: finished time vs connection to now

• Past simple (did, went, saw) is for finished time—past events with a clear “when”: yesterday, last night, in 2019.
• Present perfect (have/has + past participle: have seen, has gone) connects the past to the present—life experiences, changes over time, or results that matter now.

Past simple: a completed time in the past

Use past simple when the time is finished.

• I saw that movie last weekend.
• She moved to London in 2019.
• We visited your parents yesterday.

Present perfect: past + now

Use present perfect for:

1. Life experience (no specific time): I have visited New York three times.
2. Unfinished time (this week, today, this year): I have called him twice today.
3. Result now: She has broken her phone, so she can’t call.
4. Recent events with “just,” “already,” and questions/negatives with “yet.”
   • I’ve just finished.
   • He’s already left.
   • Have you eaten yet? No, I haven’t eaten yet.

Common time expressions

Past simple: yesterday, last night, two days ago, in 2010, on Monday. Present perfect: ever, never, just, already, yet, so far, recently; for + period, since + point in time.

Practice the patterns

Let’s test “for” vs “since,” “yet” vs “already,” and the participles.

I visited New York three times.

She has lived here 2018.

They have known each other many years.

Word order matters

Place ‘already’ and ‘just’ between have/has and the past participle. ‘Yet’ goes at the end in questions/negatives.

I have went to Paris. → I have gone to Paris. Use the past participle ‘gone’ (go → went → gone). I have lived here since two years. → I have lived here for two years. ‘Since’ + starting point; ‘for’ + duration.

Culture note: British vs American English

Both dialects use these tenses, but there are preferences:

• British English often uses present perfect with ‘just/already/yet’: I’ve just eaten. Have you finished yet?
• American English often uses past simple in the same situations: I just ate. Did you finish yet? Both are natural; choose one style and be consistent. In tests, follow the teacher’s preference.

More examples you can reuse

• Past simple (finished time):
  • I met her last week.
  • We bought the tickets two days ago.
• Present perfect (connection to now):
  • I’ve met her before. (life experience)
  • We’ve bought the tickets, so we’re ready. (result now)

Notice how the meaning changes:

• ‘I met her last week’ tells you when. The story is complete.
• ‘I’ve met her before’ focuses on experience, not the time.

I haven’t seen that series .

She has started her new job.

Quick checklist

• Past simple → completed past with a clear time.
• Present perfect → life experience, ongoing time, or results now.
• just/already between have/has and V3; yet at the end (questions/negatives).
• for + duration; since + starting point.
• Don’t use present perfect with finished times like yesterday/last year.

You’ve got this! Keep noticing the time phrases and ask: “Is the time finished? Does it connect to now?” With practice, your choices will feel natural.