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English grammar lessons › Level B1 › Verbs

I've lived or I lived? Present perfect and past simple

Finished time takes the past simple; unfinished time and results now take the present perfect

What you'll be able to do

Explain what you've done in your life and career, and when, in a way that sounds natural to fluent speakers: in a CV conversation, a catch-up with a friend, or a work update.

The idea

Ask yourself one question: is the time finished?

Past simple: the time is finishedPresent perfect: the time isn't finished, or no time is given
yesterday, last week, in 2015, two years ago, when I was a childtoday, this week, this year, so far, recently, ever, never
I called her yesterday.I've called her twice today.
He worked in Dubai for five years. (He doesn't now.)He's worked here for five years. (He still does.)
  • I lived in Seoul for three years.finished, I don't live there now
  • I've lived in Seoul for three years.I still live there
  • She wrote two reports this morning.it's now the afternoon, the morning is over
  • She's written two reports this morning.it's still the morning
  • I've lost my keys.the result matters now, I can't get in

Questions with when

When asks for a finished time, so it always takes the past simple.

  • When did you start this job?asking for a point in the past

In conversation

A conversation often starts with the present perfect (the news or experience) and continues with the past simple (the story).

  • I've had a terrible day.the news
  • The train broke down and I missed my meeting.what happened

Common mistakes

  • When have you arrived? When needs the past simple: When did you arrive?
  • I've seen him yesterday. Yesterday is finished: I saw him yesterday.
  • I live here since 2020. For something that started in the past and continues, use the present perfect: I've lived here since 2020.
  • I am working here for six months. The present continuous doesn't say how long: I've been working here for six months (or I've worked here for six months).

Practice

  1. I _____ my passport. I can't find it anywhere.
    Options: have lost · was losing · had been losing
    Show the answer

    have lost — The result matters now (you can't find it), and no time is given: present perfect. (American English also says 'I lost my passport' here.)

  2. When _____ the company?
    Options: did you join · have you joined · are you joining
    Show the answer

    did you join — When asks for a finished time, so the past simple.

  3. My grandfather _____ in a factory for forty years. He retired in 2010.
    Options: worked · has worked · has been working
    Show the answer

    worked — He retired, so that time is finished: past simple.

  4. We _____ in this flat since March, and we love it.
    Options: have lived · lived · live
    Show the answer

    have lived — Since March, and still true now: present perfect.

  5. I _____ (call) her three times so far, but she hasn't answered.
    Show the answer

    have called — So far means up to now: present perfect.

In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.
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