Past Simple/ Present Perfect
I _______ (see) the movie yesterday. It was stunning.
saw
For actions in the past when we know when it occurred you must use past simple.
I ________ (drive) when I saw the accident.
was driving
For actions in progress in the moment when another action interrupts the action = past continuous
I ___________ (study) English for 3 years.
have studied/ have been studying
Either can be used but when talking about a specific period of time, present perfect continuous is preferred.
I __________ (get) married in 2006.
got
action finished in the past = past simple
We ________ (move) to Miami last year. We _________ (be) there since December.
moved / have been
past simple = a finished action in the past and I know when
present perfect = a state which started in the past (living in Miami) and continues to the present
I ____________ (see) the movie 3 times.
have seen
For actions which have happened multiple times, we use present perfect. It's implied that you have seen the movie three times in your life.
I ________ (break) my leg when I was playing soccer last year. It was really painful.
broke
For an action which interrupts another action in the past = past simple
They _________ (live) in Germany since 2009.
have lived/ have been living
Both are correct.
My eyes are getting tired. I _________ (look) at the computer screen for 8 hours.
have been looking
to emphasise the amount of time spent doing something = present perfect continuous.
I _______ (lose) my car keys yesterday. I still _______ not _______ (find) them yet.
lost / haven't found
past simple = finished action in the past and I know when
yet = present perfect
She ________ (move) to the United States 3 years ago.
moved
An action in the past which is finished. I know when = past simple.
Jacob _________ (cook) when John arrived.
was cooking
For an action in progress when another action interrupts it in the past = past continuous
I ___________ (write) 7 reports today. I'm really tired.
have written
Present perfect. The day is not over so we use present perfect. If you are within the time period you use present perfect.
John _______ (learn) how to play the guitar since Monday. He's still pretty bad.
has been learning
something that started in the past and continuous into the present = present perfect continuous
Laura __________ (shop) for the past 4 hours. So far, she _______ (buy) 12 pairs of shoes and 5 pairs of jeans.
has been shopping / has bought
present perfect continuous = to emphasise the time spent shopping.
present perfect simple = the finished actions up till now.
The manager _________ (work) at the company since 2015.
has worked
present perfect is for an action which started in the past and continues in the present. The manager is still working for the company.
I _________ (take) a shower when you called me. That's why I didn't answer.
was taking
for an action in progress when another action interrupts it = past continuous
I ___________ (wait) for my girlfriend for the past 45 minutes. I can't wait much longer...
have been waiting
To emphasise the amount of time he has spent waiting = present perfect continuous
Jessica ______ (work) for OHLA from 2013-2016.
worked
past simple for something that started and stopped in the past and I know when
Grandma _____ (fall) and _______ (break) her hip last week. She ______ (be) in the hospital since the accident.
fell / broke / has been
past simple = we know when
has been = present perfect because grandma is still in the hospital
The couple _________ (marry) since February.
has been married
It is a state that started in the past and continues to the present = present perfect. the couple is still married.
The robber _____________ (wear) black clothes when I saw him.
was wearing
For background information when telling a story in the past (imperfecto del indicativo en español) = past continuous
I _________ (read) all night. I still haven't finished the book yet.
have been reading
To emphasise the fact that it's been all night, which is a period of time = present perfect continuous
Jacob ____________ (work) at OHLA since 2016.
has worked / has been working
both are correct.
A: Would you like another cup of coffee? B: No thanks, I _________ already ________ (have) three cups today.
I have already had
present perfect = finished actions within a time period we are still in (today)