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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.) |
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The simple past is used when the time period HAS finished: |
I saw three movies last week. (Last week has
finished.) |
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The present perfect is often used when giving recent news: |
Martin has crashed his car again. (This is new
information.) |
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The simple past is used when giving older information: |
Martin crashed his car last year. (This is old
information.) |
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The present perfect is used when the time is not specific: |
I have seen that movie already. (We don't know
when.) |
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The simple past is used when the time is clear: |
I saw that movie on Thursday. (We know exactly
when.) |
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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.) |
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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.) |
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