Present Perfect Vs Past Simple – Clear Explanations and Examples

Present Perfect Simple

Past Simple

Unfinished actions that started in the past and continue to the present:

• I've known Julie for ten years (and I still know her).

Finished actions:

• I knew Julie for ten years (but then she moved away and we lost touch).

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

• My brother has been to Mexico three times.

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

• My great-grandmother went to Mexico three times.

A finished action with a result in the present:

• I've lost my keys! (The result is that I can't get into my house now).

A finished action with no result in the present:

• I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible! (Now there is no result. I got new keys yesterday).

With an unfinished time word (this week, this month, today):

• I've seen John this week.

With a finished time word (last week, last month, yesterday):

• I saw John last week.