"my problem is when I speak about things in the past I often use the present perfect instead of the past simple. I know it sounds funny when I say it but I don't know why it's wrong, or why I have to use past simple.
Like when I say;
"I have been in Spain about 2 years ago".
ANSWER: The correct form is .. I was in Spain about 2 years ago. The reason is that the time is clearly defined so it is necessary to use the PAST SIMPLE.
Try to remember that you always have to use the Past Simple when the time the action occurred is clearly defined. Other examples of time references in the past that indicate the need to use the past simple are:
Yesterday, last week, last month, last year, last Christmas, two minutes ago, two hundred years ago.
or should I say;
"I went in Spain ..?
ANSWER: Here we can see another common mistake that is related to how we use prepositions. Prepositions in English are always directly related to the verb in question. The verb "To go" is always followed by "to". It is only possible to use in after to go if you intend it as to "enter".
Here are two examples to help clarify:
I usually go to Italy on holidays.
I discovered a nice bookshop in Milan and decided to go in to see if there was a book I wanted to buy.
