Is your PAST, PAST and your PRESENT PERFECT?

Here are some helpful hints with the differences between the Past Simple/Simple Past and the Present Perfect. 

Past Simple/Simple Past                       
           
Use: to describe finished actions.
ex: I got up at 7 a.m. today.  I did my homework yesterday.
          
- with "used to"
for repeated past ACTIONS/STATES that we NO  LONGER DO/HAPPEN. 
ex: There used to be a cinema in our town. (now there isn't)
John used to have long hair, before he joined the military.

- with "would" 
for repeated past ACTIONS, NOT STATES.
ex: When I was a child I would ride my bike to the pool everyday in the summer.

Here are some music videos to help you see how "used to" and "would" are used in the past.

 And another personal favourite, The O'Jays, She used to be my girl.

              
Present Perfect
Use: to describe actions from the past that are RELEVANT in the present.

- Often with FOR - 
to indicate a QUANTITY OF TIME until now.
ex: I have lived in Seville for 13 years.
and
- Often with SINCE - 
from a DATE until now.
ex: I have lived in Seville since 2000.

- With ALREADY, YET, STILL.

Already: means that something happened early.
Already goes between "have" and the past participle.
*ex: The mail has already arrived! It usually doesn't get here until noon.

Yet: means that something is expected to happen, any time up to now.
It is used in QUESTIONS and NEGATIVE statements.
Yet goes at the end of a sentence or clause.
ex: Have you done your homework yet?
I haven't had time to do it yet, so I'll do it later.
                                                               
Still: means something hasn't finished, especially when we expected it to be done already. Still goes between "have" and the past participle.
Still can also go with other tenses.
ex: Do you still live in Seville?
He has still got his bicycle from school.
BUT (exception)
I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
another tense: Are you still working or have your holidays begun? (present continuous).

- With JUST:
Just: means "a short time ago;" it' so close to now, it's still relevant.
Just  goes between "have" and the past participle.
ex: Susan's just called, her flight arrived early.

Here are some more songs in the Present Perfect:
What I've done by Linkin Park
Have you ever seen the rain? Creedence Clearwater Revival
Have you ever? Brandy
Haven't met you yet. Michael Bublé
Glitter in the Air. Pink
This love - Maroon 5