Simple Past or Present Perfect Simple – English Tense Comparison

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Simple past vs. present perfect

The simple past and the present perfect both refer to past actions, but are not interchangeable in English grammar.

The simple past is used with a specific time marker for actions that started and finished in the past.

The present perfect is used without a time marker for actions that began in the past, but still have a connection to the present.

Learn the difference between the simple past and the present perfect in English grammar with Lingolia, then practice using them in the interactive exercises.

Example

—Have you ever been to Norway?

—Yes, I’ve visited Norway several times.

—When did you start going there?

—I went there for the first time in 2014 and it gets better every time. Last time I was there, I rented a car, drove to the north and saw the Northern Lights. It was amazing!

—That’s so cool. I’ve never seen the Northern Lights but I’ve always wanted to.

—Well, I’ve just booked my next trip if you want to join!

Simple past vs. present perfect: key differences

When comparing the simple past and the present perfect, there are two key differences that can help us:

Key difference 1:

  • the simple past refers to a specific action and often tells us when it happened
  • the present perfect does not tell us when an action happened, only that it did
Examples:
I went to Norway in 2014. (simple past)
when? in 2014
I’ve visited Norway several times. (present perfect)
when? not specified

Key difference 2:

  • present perfect actions happened in the past, but are connected to the present
  • simple past actions started and finished in the past
Examples:
Chris can’t come on the trip, he has broken his leg. (present perfect)
his leg is still broken
I broke my leg when I was fifteen. (simple past)
my leg is fine now

When to use the simple past and the present perfect

The table below shows when to use the simple past and when to use the present perfect simple:

Use the simple past to: Use the present perfect to:

express past experiences with a specific time marker (we know when)

Example:
I went to Norway in 2014.

express past experiences without a specific time marker (we don’t know when)

Example:
I’ve been to Norway several times.

ask when or what time something happened in the past

Example:
When did you start going to Norway?

ask whether or not or how often something happened up to now (with ever, yet, how much/many)

Example:
How many times have you been to Norway?

continue a dialogue by giving specific details and information

Example:
I went there for the first time in 2014.

begin a conversation or announce new information

Example:
Have you ever been to Norway?

express completed actions far back in the past

Example:
We saw the Northern Lights back in 1998.

express recently completed actions (with just)

Example:
I’ve just booked my next trip.

refer to actions that occurred in a finished time period

Example:
I had two coffees yesterday.

refer to actions that occurred in an unfinished time period

Example:
It’s only 10 am and I’ve had two coffees today.

talk about the duration of actions that started and finished in the past

Example:
I lived in Norway from 2018 to 2021.

talk about the duration of something that began in the past and is still ongoing at the time of speaking

Example:
I have lived alone since last year.

Signal words: simple past vs. present perfect

Signal words can help us to recognise which tense to use in a sentence. Below is a list of signal words for the simple past and present perfect simple tenses.

Simple past signal words

Signal Word Example
... ago I met my husband 16 years ago.
in 1990 She started university in 2009.
last We had coffee together last Saturday.
the other day I saw him the other day and he seemed fine.
yesterday I stayed home yesterday and did some housework.

Present perfect signal words

Signal Word Example
already I’ve already seen that film, let’s watch something else.
always I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights.
ever
never		 Have you ever been to Scotland? It’s beautiful.
I’ve never been there.
for We’ve been married for five years.
how long How long have you known your best friend?
how much/how many How many books have you read?
just I’ve just heard the news, I can’t believe it.
lately/recently I’ve recently signed up for an English course.
since I’ve lived in Norway since 2019.
so far So far he’s visited every country in Europe.
until now (till now) Until now I’ve only read the first two books in the series.
up to now Up to now things at work have been very quiet.
(not) yet He hasn’t called me yet.

Conjugation

For information on the conjugation of these two tenses, see: