A closed moment in the past, or a link to now.
Past Simple
Structure: Subject + verb-ed (or irregular)
I visited Rome in 2019.
A finished action at a specific past time.
Present Perfect
Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle
I have visited Rome.
An action with no specific time given, or one that connects to now.
Time Words
Structure: yesterday, in 2019, last week vs already, just, ever, since, for
I saw that film last week. / I’ve already seen that film.
The time word usually gives away which tense you need.
Side by Side
Structure: Same verb, different meaning
“I have lost my keys.” (still lost) vs “I lost my keys yesterday.” (just a fact)
Present Perfect keeps the door open to now; Past Simple closes it.
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