Present perfect and past perfect
Present perfect simple
contrast: present perfect vs past simpleb1
Present perfect simple and past simple
Grammar contents
- I've travelled around the world.
- I travelled around Asia five years ago.
- He hasn't met our cousins.
- He didn't meet our cousins in 2014.
- Have you talked to my sister yet?
- Yes, I have. I talked to her yesterday.
For more information on forms of the present perfect (simple), see Present perfect simple: positive.
In British English, we use the present perfect to talk about an action or situation in the past when we don't know the exact time or it isn't important.
- I've invited Dave and Sue for dinner.
We use the past simple to talk about a specific time in the past.
- I phoned my brother yesterday.
We often use the present perfect to start a conversation about our experiences. If we want to ask about or give more details, we use the past simple.
- ‘Have you ever visited your cousins in Canada?’ ‘Yes, we went there last year.’
Grammar contentsView all
Present perfect and past perfect
Quantifiers, possessives and demonstratives