English Tenses: Past Simple vs. Present Perfect

Form:    

Subject + regular verb-ed or irregular verb (V2 form, Past Simple)       

Use:    

• Finished time

We lived Japan in from 1995-1998. (a time period that started and ended in the past)

• Definite time

I saw the Eiffel Tower in 2007.

• Series of finished actions

First, he read book and then he watched movie.

• Repeated actions

He went to the cinema every weekend last year.

Time phrases:

• yesterday
• ago
• last
• in 1994, etc.
• in the 20th century,etc.
• in July, etc.
• on Monday, etc.
• ...        

Form:

Subject + regular verb-ed or irregular verb (V3 form, Past Participle)

Use:

• Unfinished time

I've worked as a teacher since 2011. (a time period that started in the past, and continues until now)

• Indefinite time

I have seen the Eiffel Tower.

• Experience

Have you ever seen this movie?

• Result

She has already watched this movie 3 times.

Time Phrases:

• already
• just
• yet
• ever
• never
• for
• since
• ...