Grammar quiz · level B1
Present perfect or past simple
I have lived here since 2015, or I lived there in 2010? Clear rules and a quiz.
Past simple: a finished time
Use the past simple with a finished time: yesterday, last year, in 2010, two days ago.
- I saw him yesterday.
- She was in Paris in 2019.
Present perfect: up to now
Use have or has + the past participle for something that started in the past and goes on now, or for experience in your life up to now.
- We have lived here since 2015.
- Have you ever eaten sushi?
For, since, ago
For + a length of time. Since + a starting point. Ago goes with the past simple.
- for ten years
- since January
- three years ago
Yet, never, ever
Use yet in questions and negatives, and ever or never for experience.
- I haven't finished yet.
- I have never ridden a horse.
Quiz: 10 questions
I ___ him yesterday.
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saw. Yesterday is a finished time: past simple.
We ___ here since 2015.
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have lived. Since 2015 and still now: present perfect.
She ___ in Paris in 2019.
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was. In 2019 is a finished time: past simple.
Have you ___ sushi?
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ever eaten. Have + ever + past participle: ever eaten.
I have known her ___ ten years.
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for. Ten years is a length of time: for.
They moved to Texas three years ___.
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ago. Three years ago: past simple with ago.
He has worked here ___ January.
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since. January is a starting point: since.
I have never ___ a horse.
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ridden. Have + past participle: ridden.
What time ___ you get home last night?
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did. Last night is a finished time: did + the base verb.
I haven't finished my homework ___.
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yet. In negatives we use yet.
More grammar quizzes
Word list: New General Service List 1.2 by Browne, Culligan and Phillips (CC BY-SA 4.0). Example sentences: Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR). Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture. Listening uses the voice built into your device.