Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Perhaps it could be confusing when we want to decide if it is better to use the present
perfect tense or the past simple tense. Well, I will suggest these 3 things:

First, use the past simple for past events or actions which have a direct time
reference: I visited Cusco last summer; or Yesterday, I ate a delicious burger.

Second, use the present perfect for actions that started in the past and are still happe-
ning now OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
Usually, you don’t give a specific time reference.

For instance: I’ve been to Cusco twice.

Third, we DO NOT use the present perfect with a word that expresses a finished time:

Yesterday, I have visited my grandmother.

For example:

Present Perfect: Past Simple

We’ve lived here for ten years We lived there for ten years
(And we still live here) (We don’t live there now).

Pay attention to the structure:

Affirmative:

Present perfect: Past simple:

Subjetc + has / have + VPP Subject + verb –ed

They have traveled to Australia. I Traveled to Australia las year

She has called me. He called me yesterday

Negative:

Past simple: Present perfect

Subject + didn’t + verb Subjet + hasn’t / haven’t + VPP

I didn’t go to Australia last year I haven’t traveled to Australia.
He didn’t call me yesterday. She hasn’t called me

Questions

Past simple Present perfect

Did + Subject + verb? Has/ have + subject + VPP
Did you travel to Australia last year? Have you traveled yo Australia?
Did he call me yesterday? Has she called me?

I hope you find this

explanation useful.