PRESENT PERFECT OR PAST SIMPLE

PAST SIMPLE

PRESENT PERFECT

1. UNFINISHED SITUATIONS. An action or situation that started in the past and continues or has a result in the present. I have lived in Barcelona since 1992 (= and I still do.) 2. PAST EXPERIENCES. An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. She has been to the theatre twice this month (= and the month isn't over yet.) 3. PAST RECENT EVENTS. An action when the time is not important. She has had an accident. (= the result of the accident is important, NOT WHEN she had it)

1. COMPLETED ACTIONS IN THE PAST. We know or say WHEN these events happened. I saw my grandma yesterday. My brother moved to China last month.2. PAST HABITS. Things we did more or less often. I played the piano every day when I was a child. 3. SITUATIONS THAT WERE TRUE IN THE PAST. I lived with my grandmother as a child. 4. EVENTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. When I arrived home, I took off my shoes, then I relaxed on the sofa and I watched a film.

VS