Present Perfect and the Simple Past

1. Use

Present Perfect Simple Past

 result of an action in the

past is important in the
 action finished in the past
present
 series of completed actions in the past
 recently completed actions
 together with Past Progressive/Continuous – The Simple
 actions beginning in the
Past interrupted an action which was in progress in the
past and still continuing
past.
 together with lately,
recently, yet

2. Signal words

Present Perfect Simple Past

 just

 yet

 never

 already  yesterday

 ever  last week

 so far  a month ago

 up to now  in 2012

 recently

 since

 for

3. Form
 Present Perfect Simple Past

regular verbs → infinitive + ed

have/has + past participle
irregular verbs → 2nd column of the table of the irregular
*
verbs

* past participle:

 regular verbs → infinitive + -ed

 irregular verbs → 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs

4.1. Affirmative sentences

Present Perfect Simple Past

I have played football. I played football.

4.2. Negative sentences

Present Perfect Simple Past

I have not played football. I did not play football.

4.3. Questions

Present Perfect Simple Past

Have I played football? Did I play football?