Both the simple past and the present perfect tense are used to talk about actions or situations completed in the past. There is an important difference. The present perfect tense cannot be used with past time adverbs.
Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form.
1. I ………………. an interesting movie yesterday.
a) watched
b) have watched
c) Either could be used here
2. I …………………. that film.
a) watched
b) have watched
c) had watched
3. The child ………………… her tormentor at once.
a) recognized
b) has recognized
c) had recognized
4. She …………………. what she was supposed to do.
a) didn’t know
b) hasn’t known
c) hadn’t known
5. I …………………. him before.
a) saw
b) have seen
c) has seen
6. He ………………… the test.
a) has passed
b) had passed
c) have passed
7. You ………………… the fee.
a) didn’t pay
b) haven’t paid
c) hadn’t paid
8. The thieves ………………….. by the police yesterday.
a) arrested
b) were arrested
c) have been arrested
9. There ……………….. an explosion near the temple.
a) has been
b) have been
c) was
Answers
1. I watched an interesting movie yesterday.
2. I have watched that film.
3. The child recognized her tormentor at once.
4. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do.
5. I have seen him before.
6. He has passed the test.
7. You haven’t paid the fee.
8. The thieves were arrested by the police yesterday.
9. There has been an explosion near the temple.