Grammar: Present Perfect vs. Past Simple
C1 Lesson 6: Precision in Time
The Core Distinction: Time vs. Result
At the C1 level, the choice between these two tenses is about nuance. Both talk about the past, but they focus on different things. Ask yourself: what is the most important information for the listener?
Use this tense when the specific, finished time in the past is the key information. The story is over.
Example: I visited Kep in 2019. (The focus is on the year).
Use this tense when the present result or the experience itself is the key information. The specific time is unknown or not important.
Example: I've lost my keys. (The result: I can't get in now).
The Grammar Rule 📖
Choosing the Right Tense
| Tense | Structure | Key Focus & Signal Words |
|---|---|---|
| Past Simple | Verb-ed / irregular | A finished time. yesterday, last week, in 2010, when I was a child... |
| Present Perfect | have / has + past participle | A present result or an unfinished time. so far, ever, never, recently, just, for, since... |
A Conversation About Travel
Notice how Srey and Bora naturally switch between tenses depending on their focus.
Srey: Have you ever been to Mondulkiri?
Bora: Yes, I have been there twice. It's beautiful. I went last year with my family.
Srey: Oh, wonderful! I visited in 2018, but I haven't returned since then.
Bora: The road has changed a lot. It's much better now.
Srey: That's good to hear. Oh no... I think I've left my wallet in the tuk-tuk!
Bora: Are you sure? You had it when we paid for the coffee five minutes ago.
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Choose the Correct Tense
Select the best verb form for each sentence.
- I can't find my passport. I think I ___ (lose) it.
→ have lost - She ___ (live) in Paris from 2005 to 2010.
→ lived - Shakespeare ___ (write) many famous plays.
→ wrote (He is dead, so the time is finished). - We ___ (not see) that movie yet. Is it any good?
→ haven't seen
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Your Experiences
Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences). In the first sentence, describe a specific holiday you took in the past (Past Simple). In the following sentences, describe your general travel experiences (Present Perfect).
Example Starter: "I went to Kampot last month for the weekend... I have always loved the seaside, and I have never seen a sunset as beautiful as the one there..."
Key Vocabulary
- Precision The quality of being exact, accurate, and careful.
- Relevance The degree to which something is connected or appropriate to the current time or topic.
- Nuance A subtle difference in meaning, feeling, or tone.