Perfectly Confusing: How (Not) to Use the Present Perfect

Have you ever said: I have done my homework yesterday? 🤔If so, you’re not alone. For many French speakers, this mistake feels natural because French relies heavily on the passé composé. In English, though, things work differently: sometimes you’ll need the present perfect, sometimes the past simple. The tricky part? French uses one tense in situations where English has two.

If you’ve ever hesitated between I have seen that film and I saw that film, you’ve already felt the confusion. That’s why today, I want to explore how to avoid the most common pitfalls, show how British and American speakers disagree on this tense, and compare how English and French handle these situations.

1. The Basics of the Present Perfect

The present perfect is all about connecting past actions to the present moment. Think of it as a “bridge tense.” It isn’t just about what happened, but also about how it affects now.

Main uses:

• Life experience:I’ve visited London three times. → My experience matters now.

• Recent past with an effect now:I’ve lost my keys. → And I still don’t have them.

• Unfinished time:I’ve worked here since 2020. → I still work here today.

Now compare with the past simple, which simply closes the book on the past:

• I visited London in 2019.

• I lost my keys yesterday.

• I worked there last year.

If there’s a finished time marker (yesterday, last year, in 2010, last week), the past simple is the safe choice. If the time period is unfinished or not mentioned, the present perfect may be the right tool.

This distinction is one of the first things I emphasize in my English course with CPF in Vincennes, because it gives learners a clear rule to avoid mistakes early on.

2. Avoiding Common Mistakes

The classic trap: translating directly from French.

• J’ai déjà mangé. → I’ve already eaten. ✅

• J’ai mangé hier. → I ate yesterday. ✅ (Not I have eaten yesterday ❌)

Notice how both sentences in French use j’ai + participe passé, but English switches between present perfect and past simple.

Here are some tips to help you avoid mistakes:

• Watch out for time words. If you see yesterday, last week, ago, in 2010, you should almost always use past simple.

• Think about the result. If the action still matters now (I’ve lost my phone → I still don’t have it), present perfect works.

• Pay attention to adverbs. Words like already, yet, ever, never, just, so far love the present perfect.

This is the kind of distinction that comes up again and again in private lessons in English. One-on-one, we can really drill these habits until they become automatic.

3. How to Avoid the Present Perfect (for Now)

Some learners tell me they just don’t feel comfortable with the present perfect yet. If that’s the case, here are a few strategies I often share:

• Stick with the past simple when you’re unsure. Native speakers may notice, but you’ll still be understood. For example:

  • Instead of I’ve just finished my report, say I finished my report just now.

• Use time markers. Adding yesterday, last night, a few minutes ago automatically pushes you towards the past simple.

• Listen for patterns. In American TV series, you’ll hear fewer present perfects. Copying what you hear is a safe way to practice without overthinking grammar.

Eventually, I encourage learners in my E-learning courses to use the present perfect when they feel ready. But if avoiding it helps you gain confidence in the meantime, that’s a perfectly fine step in the journey.

4. UK vs. USA: Same Language, Different Habits

To make things more interesting, British and American speakers don’t even agree on when to use the present perfect.

• UK English: prefers the present perfect for recent events.I’ve just had lunch.

• US English: leans towards the past simple in the same situation.I just had lunch.

Another example:

• UK: Have you finished your homework yet?

• US: Did you finish your homework yet?

Neither is wrong — both are natural in their context. But the difference can be surprising for learners. If you’ve learned English in Europe, you probably learned the British version. Then you watch an American series on Netflix, and suddenly you hear past simple everywhere!

That’s why, when I teach an English course in Vincennes or online, I show learners both options. Knowing both styles helps you adapt depending on whether you’re speaking with colleagues in London or clients in New York.

5. French vs. English: Why It’s Tricky

The confusion becomes clearer when we compare French translations.

• J’ai perdu mes clés.

  • UK: I’ve lost my keys.

  • US: I lost my keys.

• J’ai vu ce film l’année dernière.

  • English: I saw that film last year. (past simple only)

In French, both sentences use the passé composé, but in English the choice depends on context and variety of English.

Because I teach both English and French, I can highlight these overlaps directly in class. My bilingual approach helps learners see exactly why something sounds “off” in English, even though it looks normal in French.

6. Why It Matters

You might think, “Does it really matter which tense I use? People will understand me anyway.” And yes, communication won’t break down if you say I have eaten yesterday. But your English will sound more natural — and more professional — if you use the right tense.

For learners using English at work, this difference can be important in emails, presentations, and meetings. That’s why in my English course with CPF I revisit the present perfect at different levels, from A2 learners up to B2 professionals.

It’s also why the tense is such a focus in many private lessons in English: mastering it gives you confidence not just to pass an exam, but also to express yourself clearly in real-world situations.

7. Activity: Past Simple or Present Perfect?

Fill in the blanks with the correct tense.

1. I ______ (see) this movie last week.

2. She ______ (already / finish) her project.

3. They ______ (live) in Paris since 2018.

4. We ______ (go) to Spain in 2019.

5. J’ai encore oublié mes clés ! → I ______ (forget) my keys again!

Answers

1. I saw this movie last week. (past simple – finished time marker)

2. She has already finished her project. (present perfect – no time marker, result now)

3. They have lived in Paris since 2018. (present perfect – unfinished time)

4. We went to Spain in 2019. (past simple – finished time marker)

5. I have forgotten my keys again! (present perfect – still relevant now)

Conclusion

The present perfect is one of the most confusing points in English, especially for French speakers who rely heavily on the passé composé. But once you understand when to use it — and when to avoid it — your English will instantly sound more natural.

British speakers often insist on the present perfect, while Americans are happier with the past simple. Both are correct, and knowing the difference helps you adapt to your context.

The best way to master it? Practice — lots of it. Whether you’re following E-learning modules, joining an English course with CPF in Vincennes, or working with me in private lessons in English, you’ll start to hear and feel the difference. Step by step, this tense will stop being confusing and start becoming automatic.

👉 So, what about you: do you say I’ve just eaten or I just ate? 😉