Exercises · Present perfect or past simple
Present perfect or past simple: match the sentence halves
Read the endings in each section, then choose the right ending (A–E) for each sentence beginning. Look at the tenses as well as the meaning.
Need a refresher? Review the rules in 3.1 Single events, 3.2 Repeated events and 3.3 ‘Have you ever…?’ and ‘never’ in our Verb Tenses in Business guide.
1. Saying when
If you say when something happened – yesterday, in 2019, an hour ago – use the past simple.
Rules: 3.1 Single events
- Aso we can start the project next week.
- Bwith just two employees in 1998.
- Con the day the results were published.
- Dand she joins us on Monday.
- Eat a conference in Vienna in 2021.
1The share price fell by 8% …
2I first met our new chairman …
3The client has signed the contract, …
4We’ve hired a new head of sales, …
5Our founder started the company …
2. Have we moved on?
With no time given, ask: has the next stage happened? If not, the event is still ‘live’ – use the present perfect.
Rules: 3.1 Single events
- Aand they have suggested some changes.
- Bso please be there by eight.
- Cso we can start hiring next month.
- Dbut they cancelled at the last minute.
- Eso I’ll share my screen now.
1I’ve booked a table for the client dinner, …
2We agreed to meet on Friday, …
3I’ve prepared a short presentation, …
4I sent the proposal to the client, …
5The board has approved the budget, …
3. Not yet
Use the present perfect with ‘yet’ for things that haven’t happened so far, but still can.
Rules: 3.1 Single events
- Aor is she still serving her notice?
- Bbefore the client meeting yesterday?
- Cbut I’ll look at it tonight.
- Dor do you need more time?
- Eso I’ll chase them on Monday.
1I haven’t read the contract yet, …
2Have you found a solution yet, …
3Did you find a solution …
4We haven’t heard back from the client yet, …
5Has the new hire started yet, …
4. Repeated events
How many times? Ask: can it happen again within the time frame?
Rules: 3.2 Repeated events
- Afive deadlines before we changed the process.
- Bso I’m taking a break this afternoon.
- Conly one deadline so far.
- Dabout ten times a year.
- Eand it’s only eleven o’clock.
1This quarter the team has missed …
2Last quarter the team missed …
3I’ve had three coffees today, …
4I had four meetings this morning, …
5In my last job I travelled to Asia …
5. Ever and never
‘Have you ever…?’ and ‘never’ – is the context finished, or can it still happen?
Rules: 3.3 ‘Have you ever…?’ and ‘never’
- Afor my opinion in meetings.
- BYou really should before you fly home.
- Cor is it your first time?
- Dwhile you were in Barcelona?
- Ebut I know it may happen one day.
1Have you ever tried the local dessert? …
2Did you visit the cathedral …
3My previous manager never asked …
4I’ve never had to make anyone redundant, …
5Have you visited this conference before, …
6. Mixed review
All the rules together, in real business situations.
Rules: all lessons in ‘From the past to the present’
- Athree new offices, and there’s another one planned.
- Bso the second phase can start next week.
- Cor will this be your first time?
- Din March last year.
- Ebut I’ll call them this afternoon.
1We completed the merger …
2We’ve completed the first phase, …
3I haven’t spoken to the client yet, …
4This year we’ve opened …
5Have you ever presented to the board, …
Check a section to see your score here.
More practice
Correct on paper is not the same as natural in the boardroom
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