The Past Simple
We use the past simple to talk about finished actions. That is why we add a time reference. Here are some examples:
I was born in 1984.
I saw a movie on Tuesday.
I went to school in Madrid for 4 years.
You can also use ‘last’
Last Tuesday, I finished my final exams.
Last year, I went on holiday to Peru.
We use the past simple to talk about finished actions. That is why we add a time reference. Here are some examples:
I was born in 1984.
I saw a movie on Tuesday.
I went to school in Madrid for 4 years.
You can also use ‘last’
Last Tuesday, I finished my final exams.
Last year, I went on holiday to Peru.
Present Perfect difference
"this year" an unspecified time
Present perfect (unfinished times)
But, we could also use past simple for specific finished times
Choosing the tense depends on the time frame you want to give
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Imagine your friend asks you what movie you would like to watch now
Let's watch Ground Hog Day?
"Nah, I've seen it 4 times"
Let's watch "Bill Burr"
"I've already seen it..."
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You never mention when you saw those movies
The exact time is not relevant to the present question
We use Present Perfect to talk about past actions that are relevant to the present
Here's an example:
He or she doesn't mention exactly when - so the important thing is that he/she not eating is relevant to the present.