Learn English – We _________ our breakfast half an hour ago

exam-questionspast-perfectpast-simplepresent-perfect

We _____________ our breakfast half an hour ago.

  1. finished (Simple Past)
  2. have finished (Present Perfect)
  3. had finished (Past Perfect)
  4. None

I chose the "have finished", but the answer is "finished". Why?

Best Answer

"Finished" is correct because it is the Past Simple.

We use the Past Simple to speak about events that happened in the past.

"Have finished" isn't correct because it is the Present Perfect. An hour ago is in the past (a past time) and isn't connected to the present anyhow. If it were still happening it would be correct.

Example:

  • We have finished our breakfast and are now ready to leave. (Have finished just now and we can do other things)

We do not use the present perfect with an adverbial which refers to past time which is finished.