A2-B1: Present Perfect and Past Simple

This is a difficult grammar point for Spanish speakers because we think that present perfect is a kind of past in Spanish (we called it pretérito perfecto simple). Let's see the main differences between these two tenses:

Present Perfect

• it focuses on the result of the action and this result happens in the present time: I've already eaten, thank you.
• the reference of time is not precised and it usually means up to now: I've seen that fillm many times; I think I've seen you before.
• this tense usually goes with expressions like: 
• EVER/NEVER: Have you ever eaten Thai food? No, never
• ALREADY: I've alredy finished my sandwich
• YET: She hasn't finised yet. What about your? Have you finished yet? 
• JUST: Yes, I've just finished
• FOR and SINCE: I've had it since I was a child/for a long time

Past Simple

• it focuses on the past action; it's usually referred to memories or past events. The reference of time is clearly in past so it goes with expressions such as : 
• ___ AGO: I saw her 3 weeks ago
•  LAST ____ : They went on holiday last month
• IN ___  : I was born in 1990
• WHEN ____ : I could swim when I was 7
• YESTERDAY: She called me yesterday

If you need more help with this grammar point, you can visit these useful links:

• A short explanation with a diagram to explain the difference: click here
• This link from the British Council gives you the explanation of present perfect and then it is compared with past simple: click here

You also have these useful links to practise but the best way is to do it speaking:

• exercise 1       exercise 2  (explanation and exercise)     exercise 3       exercise 4      exercise 5   exercise 6      exercise 7