Present perfect vs past simple
Finished time or up to now? Choose the right tense every time.
Why it matters
Tense control is central to Grammatical Range and Accuracy. In Speaking Part 1 and 3 you constantly talk about experience and change, and choosing the wrong one of these two tenses is one of the most common slips.
The rules
Past simple for finished actions at a finished time — often with a time expression.
I moved to Lagos in 2018.
Present perfect for experience or change up to now, with no finished time stated.
Cities have become more crowded.
Present perfect with since (point in time) and for (period) when the situation continues.
I have lived here for six years.
Never use present perfect with yesterday, ago, last year or a past date.
I visited Paris last year. (not 'have visited')
Model sentences
- Over the past two decades, online shopping has transformed the retail sector.
- When I was a child, I walked to school every day.
- I've never been abroad, but I'd love to visit Japan.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: I have finished university in 2020.
Correct: I finished university in 2020.
A finished time requires past simple.
Incorrect: I live here since 2015.
Correct: I have lived here since 2015.
'Since' needs a perfect tense.
Incorrect: Technology changed our lives a lot.
Correct: Technology has changed our lives a lot.
The change continues up to now.
Band tip
Check yourself
I ___ (work) at this company since March.
have worked / have been working
She ___ (graduate) three years ago.
graduated
___ you ever ___ (try) Ethiopian food?
Have … tried