Past Simple

Present Perfect

Do we use the past simple to refer to periods of time or moments which are finished and can be seen on a calendar or a clock? 

What advances did we see at the turn of the millennium? 

Where did you live when you were 5 years old? 

Do we use the past simple to refer to events at a specific time in the past? 

When was the first time you sent an email?

When did you first start riding a bike? 

Do we use the present perfect to refer to periods for time which continue to the present?

What advances have we seen in recent years? 

Have you been living in the same place for the last few years?

Do we use the present perfect when the specific time something happened isn’t important or relevant, or when the present result of a past event is important? 

Have you ever done parachuting before?

Have you finished your studies? 

Past continuous

Present Perfect Continuous

Do we use the past continuous to refer to actions in progress during periods of time or at moments which are finished and can be located on the calendar or the clock? 

How long were you working on your computer the last time you switched it on?

Were you having fun all day last Saturday? 

Do we use the present perfect continuous to refer to actions in progress during periods of time or at moments which are not finished and continue to the present? 

Have you been working a lot on anything in particular recently?

Have you been enjoying life these days?