Past simple and present perfect - advanced

This lesson compares the past simple and the present perfect at an advanced level. You will learn when to use each tense, how time expressions affect tense choice, and how to express results, experiences, and continuing states correctly in professional contexts.

• Past simple: describes completed actions at a specific time in the past.
• Present perfect: links past actions or states to the present when no specific past time is given, or when the result matters now.
• Advanced focus: signal words, unstated time vs stated time, difference between 'since' and 'for', and correct use of past participles.

Decide which tense to use by asking two questions: Is the event tied to a specific past time? Does the action have a result or relevance now?

• If there is a specific past time (yesterday, in 2010, last month): use past simple.
• If no specific past time is given and the result/state matters now, or the period includes the present: use present perfect.
• For duration up to now, use present perfect with since (start point) or for (length).

When in doubt, check the time expression and whether the speaker connects the past action to the present.

These mistakes are frequent for learners of all backgrounds. Watch for form and time-expression errors.

• Mixing tenses and time markers: using present perfect with a specific past time (e.g. "I have finished it yesterday").
• Using past simple for experiences without a time reference (e.g. "I saw Paris" instead of "I have seen Paris").
• Incorrect past participle forms after have/has (e.g. "have went" instead of "have gone").
• Confusing since and for: use since with a starting point, for with a duration.

Always check the time expression and the verb form (past simple vs have + past participle).