English grammar
Present perfect (today) vs past simple (yesterday)
Contrast today (present perfect) with yesterday (past simple).
From the scene Today has been a long day
In short
Use the present perfect for unfinished time like today or this week, and the past simple for yesterday or last night.
Your turn
Which one goes with this week (not finished)?
Options: today has been · yesterday I studied (not "I have studied yesterday") · this week I have slept
Show answer
this week (not finished) → this week I have slept
How it works
For time that isn't finished — today, this week — use the present perfect: today has been long, this week I have slept very little.
Good to know
For finished time — yesterday, last night — use the past simple: yesterday I studied. Never mix them: "I have studied yesterday" is wrong.
today (not finished) today has been
Nuria
Doña Elena, today has been a very long day.
Doña Elena, hoy ha sido un día muy largo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena, (blank) a very long day.
Options: yesterday I studied · today has been · this week I have slept
Show answer
Nuria
Doña Elena, today has been a very long day.
Doña Elena, hoy ha sido un día muy largo.
this week (not finished) this week I have slept
Nuria
No. This week I have slept very little.
No. Esta semana he dormido muy poco.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No. (blank) very little.
Options: Yesterday I studied · This week I have slept · Today has been
Show answer
Nuria
No. This week I have slept very little.
No. Esta semana he dormido muy poco.
yesterday (finished) yesterday I studied (not "I have studied yesterday")
Nuria
Yesterday I studied all afternoon. It was horrible.
Ayer estudié toda la tarde. Fue horrible.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) all afternoon. It was horrible.
Options: This week I have slept · Yesterday I studied · Today has been
Show answer
Nuria
Yesterday I studied all afternoon. It was horrible.
Ayer estudié toda la tarde. Fue horrible.
question (finished) what did you do yesterday?
Elena
And yesterday? What did you do yesterday?
¿Y ayer? ¿Qué hiciste ayer?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And yesterday? (blank)?
Options: What did you do yesterday · Today has been · This week I have slept
Show answer
Elena
And yesterday? What did you do yesterday?
¿Y ayer? ¿Qué hiciste ayer?
last night (finished) last night I heard
Elena
I know. Last night I heard your voice until two.
Ya lo sé. Anoche escuché tu voz hasta las dos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I know. (blank) your voice until two.
Options: Today has been · This week I have slept · Last night I heard
Show answer
Elena
I know. Last night I heard your voice until two.
Ya lo sé. Anoche escuché tu voz hasta las dos.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| today (not finished) | today has been |
|---|---|
| this week (not finished) | this week I have slept |
| yesterday (finished) | yesterday I studied (not "I have studied yesterday") |
| question (finished) | what did you do yesterday? |
| last night (finished) | last night I heard |
More lines from the story
- NuriaI've practised all day with Javi.He practicado todo el día con Javi.