Verbs

Present perfect vs. past simple

The present perfect is used to talk about:

-situations which started in the past and continue now.

• I have lived in Japan for 13 years.
• She has worked as a teacher for two months.

-experiences at an indefinite time in the past.

• I've been to Rome, but I've never been to Venice.
• Have you seen the new Woody Allen film?

When the situation is finished, we use the past simple.

• I have collected thousands of stamps. = I collect stamps now.
• I collected stamps when I was a child. = I don't collect stamps anymore.
  NOT: I have collected stamps when I was a child.

When we are speaking about a completed experience at a specific time, we use the past simple. Compare these sentences:

• I've read Gone with the Wind. (when is not specified)
• I read Gone with the Wind when I was 15. (when is specified)
  NOT: I've read Gone with the Wind when I was 15.