„I have done this yesterday.“ You’ve probably said it. Here’s why it feels right and why it isn’t.

In German, „Ich habe das gestern gemacht“ is correct. You use haben + past participle even when you mention a specific time.

English works differently. The moment you say „yesterday“, „last week“ or „on Monday“, English switches to simple past: „I did this yesterday“.

„Have done“ tells English speakers the time is open and unspecified. Add „yesterday“ and the sentence breaks.

This catches almost every German speaker at some point. It’s a language trap, not a careless mistake.

Quick win: Specific time? Simple past. „I did this yesterday.“ „She called last week.“ „We finished on Monday.„