With a finished time (yesterday / last week etc.).
We use the past (arrived / saw / was / etc):
Do not use the present perfect (have arrived / have done / have been )
With a finished time:
* I saw Paula yesterday. (not I have seen).
* Where were you on Sunday afternoon? (not where have you been).
* We didn't have a holiday last year. (not we haven't had).
* What did you do last night? I stayed at home.
* William Shake spear lived from 1563 to 1616. He was a writer. He wrote many plays and poems.
Use the past to ask When...? or What time...?
* When did you buy your computer? (not When have you bought).
* What time did Andy go out? (not What time has Andy gone out).
Compare:
present perfect
* I have lost my key. (= I can't find it now).
* Ben has gone home. (= he isn't here now).
* Have you seen Kate? (= where is she now).
time until now
past
* I lost my key last week.
* Ben went home ten minutes ago.
* Did you see Kate on Sunday?
finished now
past now
Have you ever been to Spain? (= in your life, until now).
My friend is a writer. He has written many books.
Sam hasn't phoned me yet.
We've lived in Singapore for six years. (= we live there now).
past now
Did you go to Spain last year?
Shake spear wrote many plays and poems
Sam didn't phone me yesterday
We lived in Glasgow for six years but now we live in Singapore.
Questions and answers:
1. Have you seen Kate? Yes, I saw her five minutes ago.
2. Have you started your new job? Yes, I started last week.
3. Have your friends arrived? Yes, they arrived at 5 o'clock.
4. Has Sarah gone away? Yes, she went on Friday.
5. Have you worn your new suit? Yes, I wore it yesterday.
Use verb in the present or past:
1. My friend is a writer. He has written many books.
2. We didn't have a holiday last year.
3. I played tennis yesterday afternoon.
4. What time did you go to bed last night?
5. Have you ever met a famous person?
6. The weather wasn't very good yesterday.
7. Kathy travels a lot. She has visited many countries.
8. I switched of the light before going out this morning.
9. I live in New York now, but I lived in Mexico for many years.
10. What's Canada like? Is it beautiful? I don't know. I haven't been there.
More example:
1. A: Have you ever been to Florida?
B: Yes, we went there on holiday two years ago.
A: did you have a good time?
B: Yes, it was great.
2. A: Where's Alan? have you seen him?
B: Yes, he went out a few minutes ago.
A: And Rachel?
B: I don't know. I haven't seen her.
3. Rose works in a factory. She has worked there for six months.
Before that she was a waitress in a restaurant. She worked there for two years, but she didn't enjoy it very mush.
4. A: Do you know Mark's sister?
B: I have seen her a few times, but I never spoken to her ever spoken to her?
A: Yes, I met her at a party last week. She's very nice.
