Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Past Simple is used: for completed actions in the past, especially when the time is known or stated.

Examples:

1. She lived in London in 2019.

2. ⁠I ate breakfast yesterday morning.

3. ⁠They finished the project last night.

The time reference is always clear: yesterday, last week/month/year, in 2020, an hour ago, when I was a child, etc.

Present Perfect is used: (a) when the exact time is not important, (b) when the result of an action is still connected to the present, or (c) for actions that started in the past and continue to now.

Examples:

1. She has visited London. (we don't know or care exactly when)

2. ⁠I have eaten breakfast. (so I'm full now)

3. ⁠They have finished the project. (It's done, and the result matters now)

4. ⁠She has lived in Lagos for 10 years. (She still lives there)

IMPORTANT TIP:

We cannot use the Present Perfect with specific finished times in the past (yesterday, last week, in 2022, etc.).

❌ I have visited Lagos in 2022.

✅ I visited Lagos in 2022. (Past Simple)

However, duration expressions like for and since are commonly used with the Present Perfect because they connect the past to the present.

✅ She has lived in Lagos for 10 years.

✅ They have been friends since 2015.

Okay. That was not difficult, was it?

Now complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb in brackets. Use either Past Simple or Present Perfect.

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5. He (break) his arm when he fell off the bicycle last year.

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8. I (write) to her three times last year but she never replied.

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10. She (teach) biology at this school since 2018. The students love her.