Present PerfectPresent Perfect
— We form the present perfect using ‘have’ (‘ve) or ‘has’ (‘s) along with the past participle form of the verb. Past participles can be regular (e.g. inspired) or irregular (e.g. done).
— We use the present perfect to speak about past events which continue up until the present – they are not completed.
Look at these examples:
Magna Carta, meaning ‘the Great Charter’, has inspired people across the centuries, from Thomas Jefferson to Mahatma Gandhi.
Magna Carta has lived on for 800 years.
Past SimplePast Simple
— We form the past simple by using the past tense form of the verb. Past tense forms can be regular (arrested) or irregular (met).
— We use the past simple when we are talking about completed states, events or actions.
Look at these examples:
The two sides met at Runnymede in June 1215.
King John died of dysentery in 1216.