Past Simple or Present Perfect?

[IreneRead]

Please explain the difference in meaning (if #2 is correct):

1. Have you ever thought about your mother?
2. Did you ever think about your mother?

Is it true that in American English The Past Simple is more often used than in British English?

Thank you in advance.

[bhaisahab]

Please explain the difference in meaning (if #2 is correct):

1. Have you ever thought about your mother?
2. Did you ever think about your mother?

Is it true that in American English The Past Simple is more often used than in British English?

Thank you in advance.

2 is unnatural on its own. If you added something like "Did you ever think about your mother while you were in India?", for example, it would be a bit better.

[Barb_D]

The only difference I've found is with "just" - as an American, I would be more likely to say "Ew! I just stepped in some gum" or "Yes, I just fed the dogs." Understand my BrE-speaking friends would be more likely to say "I've just" instead of "I just."

[5jj]

Understand my BrE-speaking friends would be more likely to say "I've just" instead of "I just."

Indeed we would.

[IreneRead]

Thank you very much. That's clear. Would it be correct to say:
Do you ever think about your mother?

(The context could be important: that's the dialogue between orphans. The phrase, in fact, is "You ever think about your mother?")

[emsr2d2]

Thank you very much. That's clear. Would it be correct to say:
Do you ever think about your mother?

(The context could be important: that's the dialogue between orphans. The phrase, in fact, is "You ever think about your mother?")

"Do you ever think about your mother?" is a question concerning the present state of affairs and also a habitual action.

[IreneRead]

Thank you. I was confused by the form of the question, by the word order, to be exact.

[IreneRead]

The only difference I've found is with "just" - as an American, I would be more likely to say "Ew! I just stepped in some gum" or "Yes, I just fed the dogs." Understand my BrE-speaking friends would be more likely to say "I've just" instead of "I just."

Excuse my stupidity, but... Do you mean, in the examples given, you use Past Simple or you just omit "have"?
Would you say "I just did it" or "I just done it"?

[emsr2d2]

Excuse my stupidity, but... Do you mean, in the examples given, you use Past Simple or you just omit "have"?
Would you say "I just did it" or "I just done it"?

"I just done it" is incorrect in any form of English.

[Rover_KE]

"I just done it" is incorrect in any form of English.

...but you will hear native speakers say it anyway in informal, casual conversation.

Rover