Unit 20: I have done (Present Perfect) and I did (Past Simple)

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GRAMMAR
EXAMPLES
EXERCISES

A. Past Simple + Finished Time

With a finished time (yesterday / last week etc.), we use the past simple (arrived/saw/was etc.):

past
NOW
We arrived yesterday.
We arrived last week.
We arrived at 3 o'clock.
We arrived in 1991.
We arrived six months ago.
Do not use the present perfect (have arrived / have done / have been etc.) with a finished time:
  • I saw Paula yesterday. (not ‘I have seen’)
  • Where have you been? (not ‘Where have you been yesterday’)
  • Where were you on Sunday afternoon? (not ‘Where have you been’)
  • We didn’t have a holiday last year. (not ‘We haven’t had’)
  • ‘What did you do last night?’ ‘I stayed at home.’
  • William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616. He was a writer. He wrote many plays and poems.
Use the past simple to ask When … ? or What time … ?:
→ When did they arrive? (not ‘When have they arrived?’)

B. Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Present PerfectPast Simple
I have lost my key.
(= I can’t find it now)		I lost my key last week.
Bill has gone home.
(= he isn’t here now)		Bill went home ten minutes ago.
Have you seen Ann?
(= where is she now?)		Did you see Ann on Saturday?
Have you ever been to Spain?Did you go to Spain last year?
My friend is a writer. He has written many books.Shakespeare wrote many plays and poems.
The letter hasn’t arrived yet.The letter didn’t arrive yesterday.
We’ve lived in Singapore for six years.
(= we live there now)		We lived in Glasgow for six years but now we live in Singapore.

Examples

I saw Paula yesterday.
We didn’t have a holiday last year.
William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616.
When did they arrive?
I have lost my key. (= I can’t find it now)
Bill has gone home. (= he isn’t here now)
Have you seen Ann? (= where is she now?)
Have you ever been to Spain?
My friend has written many books.
We’ve lived in Singapore for six years.

Exercises 20.1 – 20.4

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20.1 Use the words in brackets (...) to answer the questions.

  1. Have you seen Ann? Yes, I saw her 5 minutes ago. (5 minutes ago)
  2. Have you started your new job? (last week)
  3. Have your friends arrived? (at 5 o’clock)
  4. Has Sarah gone away? (on Friday)
  5. Have you worn your new shoes? (yesterday)
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20.2 Right or wrong? Correct the verbs that are wrong. (The verbs are underlined.)

  1. I’ve lost my key. I can’t find it. RIGHT
  2. Ann has yesterday? WRONG: Did you see
  3. I’ve finished my work at 2 o’clock.
  4. I’m ready now. I’ve finished my work. RIGHT
  5. What time have you finished your work?
  6. Sue isn’t here. She’s gone out. RIGHT
  7. Jim’s grandmother has died in 1989.
  8. Where have you been last night?
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20.3 Put the verb in the present perfect or past simple.

  1. My friend is a writer. He has written many books. (write)
  2. We a holiday last year. (not/have)
  3. I tennis yesterday afternoon. (play)
  4. What time to bed last night? (you/go)
  5. a famous person? (you/ever/meet)
  6. The weather very good yesterday. (not/be)
  7. My hair is wet. I it. (just/wash)
  8. Kathy travels a lot. She many countries. (visit)
  9. ‘Is Sonia here?’ ‘No, she yet.’ (not/come)
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20.4 Put the verb in the present perfect or past simple.

  1. A: Have you ever been to Florida?
    B: Yes, we there on holiday two years ago.
  2. A: ?
    B: He out a few minutes ago.
  3. A: a good time?
    B: Yes, it great.
  4. A: Do you know Martin’s sister?
    B: I her a few times but I to her.
  5. A: Rose works in a factory. She there for six months. Before that she a waitress in a restaurant. She there for two years but she it very much.
  6. A: (you/ever/speak) to her?
    B: Yes, I her at a party last week. She’s very nice.

Unit 20: Present Perfect vs Past Simple • Full Interactive Textbook