Past simple / Present perfect

 I ________ (never/ VISIT) Canada.

• don't never visit

• have never visited

• never visiting

• didn't never visit

Answer explanation

When we use words like already, not __ yet, ever, never, etc., we are normally talking about a non-specified time in the past.

In these cases, we use the present perfect.

Mary __________ (WRITE) a letter to Nick two weeks ago.

Answer explanation

"Two weeks ago", is a specific moment in the past.

In these cases, we use the past simple.

His brother ________ (COME) back from Paris last Sunday.

• hasn't come

• wasn't came

• haven't came

• didn't come

Answer explanation

"last Sunday" is a specific time in the past.

In these cases, use the past simple.

Maria (GET) ______ some bad marks last week.

Answer explanation

"last week" = specific time in the past.

Use the past simple.

We (NOT WATCH) _______  this video yet.

• hasn't watched

• haven't watched

• didn't watch

• didn't watched

Answer explanation

1) "not ___ yet" = not in all my life up until now, so it is not a specific time.

In these cases, use the present perfect.

2) In positive sentences, we normally use "already". We use yet instead of already in negative sentences and questions.

3) We put 'already' in the middle of the sentence (HAVE / HAS + already + VERB-ED).

We put 'yet' at the end of the negative sentence / question

They  ________  (JUST/ BUY) some flowers.

Answer explanation

"just" = very, very recently

It is not specific time, so we use the present perfect.

(HAVE / HAS + JUST + VERB-ED)

I ______ (SEE) that film last Tuesday.

Answer explanation

"last Tuesday" = specific time in the past.

Use the past simple.

 

I ______ (GO) to Italy last summer.

• went

• have gone

• goed

Answer explanation

"last Summer" = specific time in the past.

Use the past simple.

 

Where _____ for your last holiday* ? (VISIT) (*vacation in American English)

Answer explanation

"your last holiday" refers to a specific moment in the past.

Use the past simple.

Look at the difference ...

Where did you visit for your last holiday?

(specifically during your last holiday?)

Where have you visited ? (not specific, ... in your whole life)

I _____ sushi. I wonder what it tastes like?

• didn't try

• have never tried

• did never try

Answer explanation

"never" = not in all of my life. So it is not a specific time in the past.

In these cases, we use the present perfect.

We generally use the present perfect with words like already, not __ yet, ever, never, etc.