This is Everyday Grammar. I'm Kaveh. And I'm Lucija. Hey Kaveh, you're looking a bit tanned. Did you go to the beach? I did. I went to Florida last weekend. Have you ever gone to Florida? Sure I have. I've gone there two years ago.
Wait, you mean you went there two years ago? What's the difference? Good question. You're asking about the difference between the simple past and present perfect verb tenses. I went to Florida is in the simple past. You use the simple past to talk about a past event that happened at a certain time.
Okay, that makes sense. But what about I have gone? I have gone to Florida is in the present perfect. It shows that a past event happened at an unknown time. Wait, but if it's about the past, why is it called the present perfect? Well, it's to emphasize the present effect of a past action.
I have graduated from college. I graduated from college. Interesting. That's a lot to think about. Is there an easier way to remember? As a matter of fact, there is. Focus on the adverbs. Adverbs like yesterday, ago, and last night, go with the simple past.