Use the Past Simple for actions that:
– Started and finished in the past.
– Happened at a specific time in the past (e.g. yesterday, last week, in 2010).
– Ara finished actions with no connection to the present.
Use the Present Perfect for actions that:
– Started in the past and continue to the present.
– Happened at an unspecified time in the past. The exact time is not important.
– Have a result or relevance to the present moment.
– Descrive experiences (without saying when they happened).
- I tennis since I was a child — I'm pretty good!
- He tennis at school, but he didn't like it.
- Last night I my keys — I had to call my flatmate to let me in.
- I my keys — can you help me look for them?
- I Rome three times.
- Last month I Rome.
- I the train — I'm going to be late.
- I the bus and then I the plane as well!
- I Mary for five years — we still meet once a month.
- I my great-grandfather for a few years — she died when I was eight.