since + past simple / present perfect

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Nat093

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Hi. Can you tell me if there's any difference in meaning between the sentences below? They are taken from one of the English books.
The book says that we can say:
1) It is three years since I saw Bill OR
2) It is three years since I have seen Bill.
1) It is two months since Tom smoked a cigarette OR
2) It is two months since Tom has smoked a cigarette.
 

Raymott

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They mean the same for almost all purposes.
 

Matthew Wai

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Only the simple past could be used if 'last' was added after 'I' and 'Tom'.
Is it correct?
Not a teacher.
 
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