Present Perfect Simple Vs Simple Past

A. We use the Present Perfect Simple to:

1. Talk about a past action which has a strong connection with the present

Rafaella has just gone out.

My sister hasn't been to England yet.

I've already seen that film.

2. Talk about a past action which occurred at an unstated time but which still affects the present.

I've lost my keys. (= I lost them some time in the past but I still can't find them now)

Susan has had a haircut. (= she had a haircut in the past but now you can see her hair is shorter)

I've seen wolves in that forest. (= I saw them in the past but they're still in that forest now)

3. Talk about an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. (usually with for or since)

Jane has worked in a bank for 6 years.

They have lived in London for 10 years.

Mrs Thomas has taught English since 1995.

4. Talk about past actions which occurred at an unfinished period of time.

At 11:00 am : Bill has called three times this morning.

At 4:00pm: I haven't seen Paul this afternoon.

5. Talk about past experiences whose results are obvious in the present.

Kate has put on weight. (=she is heavier now)

Dad has grown a beard. (=he has a beard now)

My cousins have painted their room.  (the room has a new colour now or maybe the paint is still wet)

Also use the Present Perfect Simple in the following sentence structure:

the first / second (etc) OR Superlatives as in the examples:

This is the first time I've driven a car.

This is the second time we've eaten snails.

This is the best film I've ever seen.

This is the coolest website I've ever visited.

Do Not Confuse:

have been to / have gone to

(a) have been to = I went somewhere but now I am back

Where have you been? - I've been to the shops.

(b) have gone to = I went somewhere and I'm still there now.

Where is Jim? - He's gone to the cinema.

B. We use the Simple Past to:

1. Talk about past actions which have no connection with the present:

Rafaella went out a minute ago.

My sister didn't visit England when she lived in Europe.

I saw that film while I was on holiday.

2. Talk about actions which occurred at a definite past time. This time may be stated directly or implied.

I lost my keys when I went out yesterday.

Susan had a haircut last week.

I once saw wolves in that forest.

3. Talk about an action that started and finished in the past.

Jane worked in a bank for 6 years. (= she doesn't work there now)

They lived in London for 10 years. (they don't live in London now)

Mrs Thomas taught English in 1995. (= she doesn't teach English now)

4. Talk about past actions which occurred at a completed period of time.

At 4:00 pm: John called three times this morning.

At 10:00 pm: I didn't see Paul this afternoon.

5. Talk about a past state or habit.

When she was a student, she lived in a small flat.

I always carried an umbrella when I lived in London.

We often went to the beach when we visited Greece last summer.