Present Perfect vs Past Simple
المضارع التام والماضي البسيط
Finished time versus experience and results that matter now — plus since, for, ago, yet, already.
Step 1 — Learn
Concept, rules, model examples and the mistakes STEP repeats every year.
Concept
Use the past simple with a finished time expression (yesterday, last week, in 2019, ago). Use the present perfect for experience, unfinished time (today, this week), and past actions with a present result — with since, for, already, yet, just, ever, never.
الماضي البسيط مع زمن منتهٍ محدد، والمضارع التام مع التجربة أو الزمن غير المنتهي أو النتيجة الحالية.
Rules & forms
Finished time → past simple
- • I saw him yesterday.
- • She graduated in 2019.
Unfinished time / result now → present perfect
- • I have seen him today.
- • He has lost his keys (he can't open the door).
since + point in time · for + period
since مع نقطة زمنية، وfor مع مدة.
- • since 2020
- • for five years
ago goes with the past simple; already / yet / just go with the present perfect.
- • He left two hours ago.
- • Have you finished yet?
Common mistakes & STEP traps
❌ I have seen him yesterday.
✅ I saw him yesterday.
Yesterday is finished time.
❌ He has left two hours ago.
✅ He left two hours ago.
Ago requires the past simple.
❌ I live here since 2019.
✅ I have lived here since 2019.
Since + present perfect.
❌ Did you finish yet?
✅ Have you finished yet?
Yet normally pairs with the present perfect.
Step 2 — Practice
Sentence completion, error recognition and usage discrimination. Feedback appears only after you answer.
Present Perfect vs Past Simple practice
Score 0/8Question 1 of 8 · Signal
I ______ my homework two hours ago.
Step 3 — STEP test
Exam-style multiple choice with scoring, percentage and a review of everything you missed.
Present Perfect vs Past Simple STEP test
Score 0/10Question 1 of 10 · STEP
Mansoor ______ three books so far this year.