 |
The present perfect is used when the time period has NOT finished: |
I have seen three movies this week.
(This week has not finished
yet.) |
|
The simple past is used when the time period HAS finished: |
I saw three movies last week.
(Last week has
finished.) |
|
|
The present perfect is often used when giving recent news: |
Martin has crashed his car again.
(This is new
information.) |
|
The simple past is used when giving older information: |
Martin crashed his car last year.
(This is old
information.) |
|
|
The present perfect is used when the time is not specific: |
I have seen that movie already.
(We don't know
when.) |
|
The simple past is used when the time is clear: |
I saw that movie on Thursday.
(We know exactly
when.) |
|
|
The present perfect is used with for and since, when the actions have not finished yet: |
I have lived in Victoria for five years.
(I still live in
Victoria.) |
|
The simple past is used with for and since, when the actions have already finished: |
I lived in Victoria for five years.
(I don't live in Victoria
now.) |
|
