Master the Tenses

Understanding Simple Past vs Present Perfect

Simple Past
Present Perfect

Simple Past

Subject + Verb (past) + Object

When to Use:

  • Completed actions at a specific time in the past
  • The time is stated or understood
  • No connection to the present
Time markers:
yesterday last week in 2020 ago

Example:

"I visited Paris last summer."

Present Perfect

Subject + have/has + Past Participle

When to Use:

  • Past action with present relevance
  • The exact time is not important
  • Experience or change that affects now
Time markers:
ever never just already yet since for

Example:

"I have visited Paris three times."

The Key Difference

📅

Simple Past: Focuses on when something happened

🔗

Present Perfect: Focuses on the connection to now

Visual Timeline Comparison

Interactive Examples

Choose the correct sentence:

Practice Quiz

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