Simple Past Or Present Perfect

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb form.

1. I ............................... in Qatar when I was young.

lived

have lived

We use the simple past to talk about past events when there is a reference to the past time.

2. I ...................................... her since that incident.

did not see

have not seen

Perfect tenses are more common with the time expressions since and for.

3. I .................................... the parcel yesterday.

received

have received

We use the simple past to say when something happened.

4. They ...................................... the contract last week.

signed

have signed

We use the simple past to say when something happened.

5. ............................................ anything from them yet?

Did you hear

Have you heard

The present perfect is common with the time expressions yet, already, ever, never etc.

6. We ........................................ since morning.

waited

have waited

We use the present perfect or present perfect continuous tense with the time expressions since and for.

7. I ...................................... to Jaipur last month.

went

have gone

We use the simple past to say when something happened.

8. ......................................... to Japan?

Did you ever go

Have you ever been

With the time expressions ever and never, the present perfect is common.

9. I .................................... school when I was 14.

left

have left

We use the simple past to say when something happened.

10. What ........................................ then?

did you do

have you done

11. You won't be able to see her because she .................................... home.

went

has gone

We use the present perfect to talk about finished events whose effect is felt in the present.

12. This is the first time I ..................................... a tiger.

saw

have seen

The present perfect is used with the expressions 'this is the first/second time'.

Answers

1. I lived in Qatar when I was young.
2. I have not seen her since that incident.
3. I received the parcel yesterday.
4. They signed the contract last week.
5. Have you heard anything from them yet?
6. We have waited since morning.
7. I went to Jaipur last month.
8. Have you ever been to Japan?
9. I left school when I was 14.
10. What did you do then?
11. You won’t be able to see her because she has gone home.
12. This is the first time I have seen a tiger.