1. Present perfect vs. simple past
• You must always use the present perfect when the time of an
action is not important or not specified.
• You must always use the simple past when details about the
time or place that an action occured are given or requested.
• Compare :
• Present perfect Simple past
• I have lived in Lyon. I lived in Lyon in 1989.
• They have eaten Thai food. They ate Thai food last night.
• Have you seen 'Othello'? Where did you see 'Othello'?
• We have been to Ireland. When did you go to Ireland?
2. • There is also a difference in attitude between the two tenses,
which is often an important factor in choosing which tense to
use.
• "What did you do at school today?" I use the simple past
tense because the question is about activities, and the school
day is considered finished. (kegiatan dianggap selesai)
• "What have you done at school today?" I use the present
perfect because the question is about results : « show me ».
The time at which the question is asked is considered as a
continuation of the school day. (kegiatan hasil dari sekolah
hari tersebut)
