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The present perfect is used when the time period has NOT finished: |
I have seen three movies this week.
(This week has not finished yet.)
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The simple past is used when the time period HAS finished: |
I saw three movies last week.
(Last week is finished.)
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The present perfect is often used when giving recent news: |
Martin has crashed his car again.
(This is new information.)
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The simple past is used when giving older information: |
Martin crashed his car last year.
(This is old information.)
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The present perfect is used when the time is not specific: |
I have seen that movie already.
(We don't know when.)
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The simple past is used when the time is clear: |
I saw that movie on Thursday.
(We know exactly when.)
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The present perfect is used with for and since, when the actions have not finished yet: |
I have lived in Victoria for five years.
(I still live in Victoria.)
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The simple past is used with for and since, when the actions have already finished: |
I lived in Victoria for five years.
(I don't live in Victoria now.)
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