Present Perfect vs Simple Past grammar Exercise

Learn the difference between present perfect and simple past tenses through dropdown selection exercises. Perfect for understanding when to use each tense correctly.

Exercise Guide

How to complete:

Choose the correct verb form from the dropdown menu for each blank. Focus on the difference between present perfect and simple past tenses.

  • Look for time markers: "already", "just", "never" (present perfect) vs "yesterday", "last week" (simple past).
  • Present perfect connects past actions to the present moment.
  • Simple past describes completed actions at specific times in the past.
  • Select the most appropriate option from each dropdown menu.
  • Consider the context and meaning of each sentence carefully.

Success tips:

  • Use present perfect for experiences without specific time: "I have visited Paris."
  • Use simple past for actions at specific times: "I visited Paris last year."
  • Watch for signal words: "ever", "never", "already", "yet" = present perfect.
  • Time expressions like "ago", "yesterday", "in 2020" = simple past.
  • Present perfect often answers "Have you ever...?" questions.

Knowledge:

This exercise focuses on the crucial difference between present perfect and simple past tenses. You'll practice choosing the correct form based on context clues and time expressions. Present perfect emphasizes the connection between past and present, while simple past describes completed actions at specific times.

Complete the Exercise

Paragraph 1

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I my best friend for over ten years. We each other at university, and since then, we many adventures together. Last month, we to Japan for a holiday.
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Paragraph 2

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They just their new house. Last year, they for months to find the right place. Finally, they one near the beach.
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Paragraph 3

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We a lot of rain this week. It yesterday morning, and it since then. The weather terrible lately.
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Paragraph 4

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My parents to the same restaurant every Friday for years. Last Friday, they their anniversary there. The owner them a free dessert because they loyal customers.
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Paragraph 5

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She in three different cities so far. She to New York in 2015, then to London two years later. Now, she in Sydney.
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Paragraph 6

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I dinner already, but I still hungry. Earlier, I only a small portion, and I not eaten much today.
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Paragraph 7

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They never snow before their trip to Canada. When they there last winter, they finally it for the first time.
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Paragraph 8

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We not each other since high school. We again at a reunion last month, and since then we in touch regularly.
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Paragraph 9

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The students just their exams. They hard all semester, and last week they their final papers.
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Paragraph 10

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Sarah to many countries in her life. Last year, she to Italy and the ancient ruins. She such beautiful architecture before.
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Paragraph 11

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My brother his homework yet. He working on it two hours ago, but he many breaks. This the longest assignment he has ever received.
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Paragraph 12

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I this movie three times already. The first time I it was in 2019. Since then, I it to all my friends, and they it too.
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Paragraph 13

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We in this house for ten years now. When we first here, the garden was empty. Over the years, we many flowers and trees. Last spring, we a beautiful rose garden.
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Paragraph 14

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Tom his keys and can't find them anywhere. He everywhere in the house. This morning, he them on the kitchen table, but they're not there now. He his keys before.
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Paragraph 15

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My sister to be a doctor since she was a child. Last year, she medical school. She very hard for her exams, and yesterday she her first test with excellent results.
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