Present Perfect

Vs Past Simple
 What's the difference? Present Perfect and Past Simple
Present Perfect Simple Past Simple
Unfinished actions that started in the past
Finished actions:
and continue to the present:
 I knew Julie for ten years (but then she moved
 I've known Julie for ten years (and
away and we lost touch).
I still know her).

A finished action in someone's life (when A finished action in someone's life (when the person is
the person is still alive: life experience): dead):

 My brother has been to Mexico  My great-grandmother went to Mexico three

three times. times.

A finished action with a result in the

A finished action with no result in the present:
present:
 I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible! (Now
 I've lost my keys! (The result is that
there is no result. I got new keys yesterday).
I can't get into my house now).

With an unfinished time word (this week, With a finished time word (last week, last month,
this month, today): yesterday):

 I've seen John this week.  I saw John last week.

Present Perfect Simple Simple Past

just / already / not yet certain time in the past

Example: Example:

I have just phoned Mary. I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago.

• What’s the difference between these two sentences?

1. Yesterday, I saw (see) all my friends. It was great.

2. I have seen (see) Julie three times this week!

1. It happened once at the specific point in time and the action is finished.
2. She has seen her friend three times so far and she probably will again
tomorrow or some other time.