Present Perfect or Past Simple?
already
present perfect
I've already done my homework.
since 2010
present perfect
I've lived in Madrid since 2010.
yet
present perfect
I haven't caught coronavirus yet.
You look tired. What time _____ (go) to bed last night?
did you go
We use present perfect/past simple to talk about the continuing effect of a past event or action on the present.
present perfect
There has been an accident. Now there is a lot of traffic.
at 8 o'clock in the morning
past simple
I bought bread at 8 o'clock in the morning.
this week
present perfect
I haven't left the house once this week.
I _____ (see) that show three months ago.
saw
How many exams _____ you _____ (take) since the beginning of this year?
have you taken
We use the present perfect/past simple to talk about the time period up to the present.
present perfect
I've been to town this morning. (It is still morning)
My brother has written a short story. (He may write more stories)
for ten years
present perfect
I've worked as a teacher for 10 years.
today
present perfect
I have read 10 books to my children today.
______ you ______ (read) this month's Marca magazine yet?
Have you read...
Let's go to the beach! I _____ (not go) for ages!
haven't gone
in 1996
past simple
I was 10 years old in 1996.
two months ago
past simple
I had a fever 2 months ago.
I ______ (not do) my homework yet.
haven't done
We use present perfect/past simple to talk about a past experience without saying when it happened.
present perfect
I've been to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
last year
past simple
I didn't teach class online last year.
yesterday
past simple
I read 5 articles online yesterday.
Our football team are playing better now. We only _____ (win) twice last year.
won
We use present perfect/past simple when a time period is over.
past simple
Prince wrote over 150 songs. (He died in 2016 so he can't write any more).