Both the simple past and the present perfect are used to talk about finished actions and situations. However, there is an important difference between them. The present perfect tense cannot be used with expressions referring to the past.
Can you use simple past and present perfect tenses correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise.
1. I ................................ here when I was a child.
Here the clause 'when I was a child' clearly shows that we are talking about something completed in the past. The present perfect is not possible here.
2. I .................................. her since last year.
We prefer the present perfect tense with the time expressions since and for.
3. She ................................... unhappy since she left school.
We prefer perfect tenses with the time expressions since and for.
4. 'Where is John?' 'He ........................ here ten minutes ago.'
We do not use the present perfect tense with time expressions referring to the past.
5. They ................................... the contract last week.
The present perfect tense is not used with past time expressions.
6. She ............................... ill for a long time.
Perfect tenses are preferred with the time expressions since and for.
7. Somebody ............................ their umbrella in the lobby.
We use the present perfect tense to talk about completed past events when there is no reference to time.
8. ................................ a ghost?
We use the present perfect tense to refer to a period of time that started in the past and has continued up to the present.
9. I can't get into my house because I .................................. my keys.
When there is no time reference we use the present perfect tense to talk about finished events.
10. I .................................. six letters since morning.
11. Sophia .................................... absent since Monday.
We prefer perfect tenses with the time expressions since and for.
12. You can't see him now because he ............................. home.
When there is no time reference, we use the present perfect tense to talk about finished actions.
Answers
1. I lived here when I was a child.
2. I haven’t seen her since last year.
3. She has been unhappy since she left school.
4. ‘Where is John?’ ‘He was here ten minutes ago.’
5. They signed the contract last week.
6. She has been ill for a long time.
7. Somebody has left their umbrella in the lobby.
8. Have you ever seen a ghost?
9. I can’t get into my house because I have lost my keys.
10. I have written six letters since morning.
11. Sophia has been absent since Monday.
12. You can’t see him now because he has gone home.
