In some cases, it doesn’t matter if you use the Present Perfect or the Simple Past:
Examples:
John has gone home.
John went home.
However, if you include a finished time (yesterday, a week ago, last month, last year, etc.), then you must use the Simple Past:
Examples:
John went home last night. (not “John has gone home last night.”)
Where did you go yesterday? (not “Where have you gone yesterday?”)
Yesterday we ate breakfast at Tiffany’s. (not “Yesterday we have eaten breakfast at Tiffany’s.”)
Also recall from a few days ago: When you are talking about the past until now, then you must use the Present Perfect:
Have you ever eaten squid? (until now)
We’ve lived in Dallas for three years. (we still live there now)
Exercises: Use the words in parentheses to make the sentence either present perfect or simple past.
Example:
(you / ever / go) skiing? ==> Have you ever gone skiing?
(you / go) skiing last year? ==> Did you go skiing last year?
1. Tom (lose) his key. Can you help him find it?
2. I’ve been looking for you. Where (you / be)?
3. What (you / eat) for lunch yesterday?
4. Matt (take) piano lessons since he was eight years old.
5. Last week we (get) a lot of snow.
6. I (travel) around the world, but I (never / taste) anything as delicious as this barbecue.
7. This morning I (exercise) before I went to school.
8. Mother (make) a delicious dinner for tonight’s party.
9. (you / ever / have) Mr. Smith as a teacher?
10. Where (you / live) ten years ago?