Let´s have a look at the following sentences. What is the difference in meaning between them?

Carlos has had this car since 1996

Carlos had this car in 1996.

The first sentence means that Carlos bought the car in 1996 and he still has the car.

In the second sentence, Carlos had the car in 1996 but he doesn´t have it anymore.

• To conect an action or situation that started in the past and continues into the present we use present perfect. For example:

I haved in Bilbao since I was a little girl. ( I still do)

She has taught in this school for 8 years ( She still does)

• When an action or situation starts in the past and finishes in the past and we know when it happened, we use past simple.

I lived in Bilbao when I was 6. ( I only lived in Bilbao when I was 6)

She taught in that school in 2006 (She doesn´t teach there now)

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