Lesson 19 of 46

Simple past vs present perfect

Stop using "have + past" with finished times like yesterday.

The rules

1.Use the simple past for finished time: yesterday, last week, in 2020, two days ago.
2.Use the present perfect (have/has + past participle) for experience or results that connect to now, with for, since, already, yet, ever, so far.
3.Never combine the present perfect with a finished time word.

Incorrect: ~~I have went there yesterday.~~

Correct: I went there yesterday.

Yesterday is finished time, and "have went" is never correct.

Incorrect: ~~I am living here since 2019.~~

Correct: I have lived here since 2019.

Since needs the present perfect.

Incorrect: ~~I saw that film already.~~

Correct: I have already seen that film.

Already usually goes with the present perfect.

Watch out: Ask: is the time finished and named? If yes, use the simple past.

1. I ___ her yesterday.

2. I ___ in Pune since 2020.

3. She ___ three countries so far.

Paste any text and see exactly what to fix, with the rule explained.