hi, I am new here.
I want to know the difference between " I worked " and “I have worked”
“I worked” refers to the past. (Simple past)
“I have worked” refers to the past, but the action is likely ongoing or has occurred up to the present moment. If that is not the case, at the very least, you see that period of work as relevant to the present as you make this statement. (Present perfect)
I worked in London for four years. = I am no longer working in London.
I have worked in London for four years. = I am still working in London after four years.
The present perfect can also refer to events that are finished, although the simple past cannot refer to acts that continue.
Has anyone here ever worked in London?
I have worked in London.
Note that here the present perfect is used because that experience is relevant to the present, even though it may be over.
Thanks for your reply.
This means, I can use “I have worked for Orange Group for 5 months as accountant.” will this be correct. If I have finished my contract (working )with them last week.
You need the indefinite article “an” before accountant. Otherwise, that is fine.
Suku, if you just finished working for Orange last week, then you would say “I worked for Orange Group for 5 months as an accountant”
If you are still working for them, you say “I have worked…”
Saanderson, I think there’s leeway here because it was something long-term that just ended. If I were writing to an employer about a position that ended last week, I would probably use the present perfect.
Hi Suku,
Whether you use ‘worked’ or ‘have worked’, the period of time worked isn’t really relevant. The important distinction is when this took place. If you say when this was, you would use the past simple ‘I worked’. If you want to talk about something in the past but you don’t say when exactly this was, you would use the present perfect ‘I have worked,’
Alan
The amount of time really isn’t important, but for a single instance (e.g., buying a book or an ice cream cone), I would be less likely to use the present perfect a week later.
An exception would be when I meant to say I had simply done it at some point in life.
I have bought an ice cream cone (before).
You don’t have to say when something occurred to use the past simple.
I worked in London five years.
This holds whether I state the time period or not.
If you use the present perfect, you can still indicate time, but it will likely be taken as ongoing.
I have live in London since January.
I have worked in London for the last five years.
The use of the present perfect with since and for plus a period of time is an entirely different kettle of fish. No, you don’t have to ‘state’ when something happened to use the past simple but it must be perceived that you are referring directly/indirectly to a time in the past.
Alan
The poster’s example uses the present perfect with “for.” And in his case, the time will be clear. I didn’t want that to be confused.
hi, Thanks to you All… I think, I wont get confuse again … cheers 
I do hope you won’t get confused any more despite the to-ing and fro-ing!
Alan
Mission accomplished. 