Learn English – I have stayed vs I stayed

grammar

I never really understood if there is any difference between those sentences:

  • I have stayed at the hotel

  • I stayed at the hotel

  • I have never had any problem with him

  • I never had any problem with him

Thank you

Best Answer

This use of the present perfect indicates a life experience of some kind. It says that you have the experience of doing something, in the past. Examples:

I have eaten oysters many times.

I have been to Japan.

I have written several novels, and many newspaper articles.

All of your examples are correct, however #2 "I stayed at the hotel" has a different meaning from the others. The simple past indicates a particular event occurred. Of course it implies that you have the experience, but the context is a simple statement of action, and does not make the experience the focus of the sentence.

Example:

I stayed at that hotel when I was in Washington DC to testify before Congress.

I have stayed at that hotel in Washington DC, but I didn't think the service was very good.

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