1. Look for time expressions first.

Many answers are decided by the time phrase:

• Past Simple → yesterday, last week, in 2019, two years ago (If you see a finished time, use Past Simple).

• Present Perfect → ever, never, already, yet, just, recently, so far, before, since, for

2. Use Present Perfect for life experiences.

Use it when the exact time is not important or not given.

Examples:

• I have tried sushi.

• She has visited France.

If no time is mentioned → Present Perfect.

3. Use Past Simple when the time is clear.

If you know when something happened, even if it’s small:

• I met him yesterday.

• We went there last month.

Time is finished → Past Simple.

4. “Ever” and “never” = Present Perfect.

These words always describe life experience.

• Have you ever…?

• I have never…

5. “Since” and “for” usually need Present Perfect.

They describe time from the past until now.

• She has worked here for five years.

• I haven’t seen him since Monday.

6. Think about whether the action is still connected to now.

If it has a result now, use Present Perfect.

• I have lost my keys. (I still don’t have them)

If it’s finished with no connection → Past Simple.

7. Ask yourself: “Is the time finished?”

 Last year / last week / in 2020 → finished → Past Simple

 This week / today / recently / ever → not finished → Present Perfect

8. Remember: Present Perfect = have/has + past participle

Make sure the verb form is correct:

• has seen

• have eaten

• has gone

9. If unsure, check whether the sentence describes:

 a specific moment in the past → Past Simple

 a general experience → Present Perfect

 an action continuing until now → Present Perfect