Present Perfect vs Past Simple — B1 Grammar

⏱️ Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Level: B1 | Time: 5 min | Focus: Grammar — tense contrast

📖 From Sourov’s world: I have lived in three countries. I lived in Australia for twelve years. Do you feel the difference? The first sentence is about now — it still shapes me. The second is a closed chapter. English encodes time differently from most languages, and this pair is where most learners get lost.

🔑 The One Rule That Decides

Ask yourself: “Is the time finished?”

✅ Present Perfect — time open / result matters
have/has + past participle

“I have worked in hospitality.” (still relevant)
“She has just arrived.” (news)
“Have you ever tried sushi?” (life experience)

🔒 Past Simple — time finished
verb + -ed / irregular form

“I worked at the casino in 2010.” (specific year)
“She arrived last Monday.” (named time)
“I tried sushi when I was in Tokyo.” (specific occasion)

🚦 Signal Words

Present Perfect: just · already · yet · ever · never · since · for · recently · so far
Past Simple: yesterday · last week · in 2005 · ago · when I was · at 6 pm · that day

✏️ Quick Activity

Choose the correct tense:

I _______ (live) in Sydney for twelve years — I left in 2017.
She _______ (just / finish) her assignment.
We _______ (meet) at a restaurant when we were students.
_______ you ever _______ (try) French cuisine?

👀 Show Answers

1. lived (finished: I left) 2. has just finished 3. met (when = specific) 4. Have you ever tried

⭐ Takeaway: If you can add “in [year]” or “last [week/month]” — use past simple. If the time is unknown or still open — use present perfect.

Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.

LIFE011 · Present Perfect vs Past Simple: The Rule That Clicks