Present Perfect vs Past Simple: When Time Matters

⏱ 5 Minutes · B1/B2 · Cambridge

When I arrived in Sydney in 2005, my English was, in my own words, horrible. A customer once asked me, “Have you ever worked in hospitality?” I said, “Yes, I worked.” Wrong. I should have said, “Yes, I have worked.” That tiny difference cost me the job.

• Past Simple = finished time. I worked at the Ivy last year.
• Present Perfect = no specific time, or connected to now. I have worked in three countries.

• She moved to Réunion in 2023. ✔
• She has lived in three countries. ✔
• I have seen that film twice. ✔
• I saw that film on Friday. ✔

Choose the correct form:

1. I ___ (live) in Sydney from 2005 to 2017.
2. She ___ (never / try) sushi.
3. We ___ (arrive) in Paris last January.
4. He ___ (work) in restaurants for ten years — and he still does.