Past simple is used to describe actions that were completed in the past at a specific time. Present perfect is used to describe actions that began in the past and continue in the present, actions that occurred at an unspecified time in the past with relevance to the present, or experiences that occurred during one's lifetime. Some examples of when each tense would be used are given.

1. Past simple / present perfect
Past simple is used: Present perfect is used:
• Actions that finished in a • Actions which happened in an
definite time in the past indefinite time in the past and
with visible results in the present
I bought this car last week.
I have lost my key. (I can’t find it
now)
• To ask when? what time? Have you seen Ann? (She is not
Where? here now)
They have arrived. ≠ • To describe very recent actions
When did they arrive?
She has just moved to a larger
An hour ago.
flat.

2. Past simple / present perfect
Past simple is used: Present perfect is used:
• For actions which started in the past
and continue in the present
• To talk about past states that
cannot happen again She has lived in this flat since 2005.
She has lived there for three years.
Shakespeare was a writer. He (She still lives there!)
wrote plays and poems. (from
1564 to 1616) • To describe experiences in our lifetime
Have you ever eaten Chinese food?
• For actions which finished in I have already eaten Chop Suey.
the past, one after the other. I haven’t eaten Japanese food yet.
(in your life until now)
She lived in this house for ten ≠ Did you eat Chinese food when you
years and then moved to were in China? Yes, I did.
another one. (sequence of (specific time in the past)
past actions)

3. Past simple / present perfect
Time expressions: Time expressions:
• Yesterday • Just, recently
• last week (...) • ever, never
• six months ago • already, yet
• in 1975, at 3 o’clock • since, for
• so far
• how long