What is the difference between gozaimasu and gozaimasita? When are they used? Thanks

ローレンさん　こんにちは。 Konnichiwa Lauren-san. The difference between GOZAIMASU and GOZAIMASHITA lies in their tenses. ~MASU is a present-tense or future ending - while ~MASHITA is in the past. Also, please note that both GOZAIMASU and GOZAIMASHITA are extra polite - so you usually won't use these phrases in colloquial friendly speech. GOZAIMASU, used on its own, is a humble equivalent of ARU/ARIMASU ("exist/be in a place" for inanimate things.) For example, a customer walks into a bar and asks the bartender if he has Japanese whiskey - and the bartender answers - はい、ございます。 HAI, GOZAIMASU. ("Yes, I have it.") -I hope that helps! -さやか (SAYAKA) :P