English — Present perfect vs past simple
Both tenses talk about the past, but the choice depends on how the event relates to the present and to its past-time context. Use the present perfect (I have seen) when the event is linked to now — for example, through an unfinished time period, a present result or an experience at no specified past time. Use the past simple (I saw) for an event located in a finished past time, whether that time is stated or understood.
How it works
The present perfect links the past to now: I have lost my keys (I still can't find them), We have lived here since 2010, Have you ever eaten sushi? The past simple reports a finished moment: I lost my keys yesterday, She left two hours ago, When did you arrive?
Examples
| Sentence | Tense and reason |
|---|---|
| I have finished the report. | Present perfect — result matters now, no time stated |
| I finished the report at 5 p.m. | Past simple — finished time (at 5 p.m.) |
| She has visited Japan. | Present perfect — life experience, when is irrelevant |
| She visited Japan in 2019. | Past simple — finished time (in 2019) |
| We have lived here for ten years. | Present perfect — unfinished period continuing to now |
| We lived there for ten years. | Past simple — finished period, we no longer live there |
| Have you seen my phone? | Present perfect — looking for it now, result matters |
| Did you see my phone this morning? | Past simple — finished time (this morning is over) |
Good to know
A specific past time forces the past simple: never say I have seen him yesterday — say I saw him yesterday. Watch signal words: since, already, yet, ever, just usually point to the present perfect, while ago, last week, in 2019, when do point to the past simple. For can go with either tense: We have lived here for ten years (still true) vs We lived there for ten years (finished).