Present perfect or past simple?

Contrast unfinished life experience and present results with actions completed at a finished past time.

When do we use it?

Choose accurately between the present perfect and past simple using time clues and context.

Form

Use the present perfect without a finished past time; use the past simple with yesterday, ago, last or a finished date.

• I have visited Rome.
• I visited Rome in 2024.
• She has lost her keys.
• She lost them yesterday.

Key contrast

Read the whole context and identify the time, meaning, noun type or sentence structure before choosing.

Common mistakes

• I have seen him yesterday. → I saw him yesterday.
• Did you ever visit Japan? → Have you ever visited Japan?

Remember

Contrast unfinished life experience and present results with actions completed at a finished past time.

Quick check

• Find the grammar clue.
• Check the subject and verb form.
• Confirm that the answer fits both structure and meaning.