Present Perfect II

Actions that began in the past and continue in the present

Prof. Edgar Gómez Muñoz

• This is another concept we can express with present perfect.

• The structure is the same, so we won’t repeat it here. If you want to review it, see
the chapter “Present Perfect I. Actions at an indefinite time in the past”.
• In this lesson we will concentrate on important things related to this specific
concept.

Actions that began in the past and continue in the present

• Look at the following conversation:

Sarita: Are you married?
Fede: Yes, I am.
Sarita: Really? How long have you been married?
Fede: I’ve been married for 18 years = I’ve been married since 2000.
Sarita: Woooooooooow! No way!
(This means that Fede started to be married in 2000 and he continues being married now, 2018.)

Tips

Simple Past vs Present Perfect

• Simple Past: an event that happened in the past and ended in the past
• Present Perfect: an event that began in the past and continues now.
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 I´ve bought paintings for 5 years I bought that painting last year
(I’m a collector = it’s my habit) (I just did it once in the past)

ac vity

ac vity

This concept implies previous knowledge

• We usually use this concept or present perfect (actions that began in the past
and continue now) when you have previous knowledge of something. It is used
to follow up a conversation.
• If you start a conversation with this concept without having previous knowledge
of the topic, the listener might get confused.
Example:
A: How long have you had a car?
B: What? How the hell do you know I have a car? I don’t even drive.

A: How long have you worked there?

B: Eh? What’s there? I don’t even know the meaning of to work.

• For that reason, if the context doesn’t imply previous knowledge of the topic, it
is better to start the conversation with other questions, generally in simple pres-
ent. Let’s see the same conversations above with more context:
Example:
A: Do you like cars?
B: Yes, I do. I love them.
A: Really? Do you have one?
B: Yes, I do. I have a bolchito.

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 A: Cool, men! How long have you had it?
B: I’ve had it for 7 years. I bought it in 2010.
(Much better. Right, men?)

A: Do you work?
B: Yes, I do.
A: Where do you work?
B: I work at Tacos Don Bolcho.
A: Cool! How long have you worked there?
B: I’ve worked there since they opened in 1824.
A: Woooooooow!
(See how with context present perfect fits better?)

How long
• We use the question How long to investigate the duration of the activity:
How long have you liked twerking?

Since vs for
• These words are the answers for the question how long.
Since = when the activity started
For = the duration of the activity
Example:
since
I’ve liked twerking since 2000.
2000 2017

for
I’ve liked twerking for 17 years.
2000 2017

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Since + time clause
• After since you can use a complete clause (subject + verb + complement) as a time
expression.
Example:
I´ve liked twerking since I was a little girl

I’ve liked twerking since my mom started to listen to “La Qué Buena” at home.

Common mistakes and confusions

Confusing verbs
There are some verbs that only take seconds and only happen once in an instant
(get, meet, etc.) and there are some verbs that can take a whole life (live, work, like,
etc.). The tense you choose with those verbs might completely change the mean-
ing.

• Get vs be
I’ve gotten married for 20 years.
I got married 20 years ago.
I’ve been married for 20 years.
(during 20 years, I’ve been getting married
and divorced several times, like actors do)
(it just happened once)
(I really love my wife: I only got married one
time with her)

• Meet vs know
I´ve met Frank for 10 years.
I met Frank 10 years ago
I’ve known Frank for 10 years.
(meet = to see:
I frequently see Frank)
(meet = see somebody for the first time.
You meet somebody only once in your life)
(know = to be aware of his existence
Since 2007, I know of Frank’s existence)

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Exercise 1: Recognition
All the following sentences are wrong. Correct them all.
for
1. I’ve been here since two hours.
2. We’ve gotten drunk together several times.
3. I knew Thalia 6 years ago.
4. They love each other very much: they’ve been together for years.
5. I’ve met him since we were in kindergarten.
6. You’ve said that all your life.
7. How long have you met? At a party.
8. She’s studied English for 2000.
9. I’ve gotten married with her seven years ago.
10. How long have you gotten married? Since we were in junior high.
11. He’s gotten in love with her all his life.

Exercise 2: Recognition and writing

Write some wrong sentences and ask your classmate to find the mistake.

1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________
6. ______________________________________________
7. ______________________________________________
8. ______________________________________________

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Exercise 3: Recognition
Read the following conversations, analyze the context and correct the mistakes
(there are many). Decide if you need simple present, simple past, past perfect,
future or any other tense.

(Bryan enters Kevin’s room silently)

B : Ey, men! What do you watch?

K : I watch El Chapulín Colorado.

B : Really? I love that one too! (Bryan gets really excited) So, are you a huge fan?

K : Ufff! Just look around my bedroom.

B : Men! It is true! The colors of the walls explains a lot!

K : Yep. And… You see my ta oo?

B : No! Do you have one?

K : You bet! Wanna see it?

B : For sure, men! (Kevin pulls down his pants to show the ta oo he has on his bu )

B : Woooow! (Bryan is impressed) That’s super cool. When have you go en it?

K : About three weeks ago.

B : Has anybody asked you to get it?

K : Yes, Bri any. She told me that would look really roman c.

B : Indeed it is, men! So, how long you are an El Chapulín Colorado’s fan?

K : Ufff! For I was a li le and immature kid.

B : Do you watch all chapters.

K : Not all, I miss some because some mes I am off lake at work.

B : I haven’t. You see the chapter last week, when El Chapulín hits el Señor Jirafales with his chipotón? (Bryan starts
laughing like a stupid)

K : Oh, yes! That was hilarious, men! (Both of them start to laugh loudly for a while)

B : All right, men. I have had to leave because I see La Barbie in the a ernoon.

Kevin: All right. So today is shower’s day. Sorry men. So, see you then

Bryan: Have a good one! (Both of them shake hands in a ritualis c and complex weird way, and Bryan leaves)

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Exercise 3: Speaking and creativity
a. Work in pairs.
b. Use the prompts bellow to ask a question in simple present.
c. If the answer is affirmative, go on with a question in present perfect with
How long.
d. Then, use your creativity to go on with any other logical questions in sim-
ple past, simple present or future. (Follow the example)

Have/car (prompt)
A: Do you have a car?
B: Yes, I do.
A: how long have you had it?
B: I’ve had it for about seven months.
A: Really? Super cool! Where did you buy it?
B: I bought it to a friend.
A: Ok. And are you planning to change it soon?
B: Not really. It works really well. But I might buy a second car because I don’t know what
to do with all my money.
A: Chiaaaa… Voy, voooooy! (ñerazo accent)

What/music band or singer/like

Have/girl(boy)friend
Where/work
Like/your hair style
Collect/anything
Do/any exercise
Watch/any series
In love with somebody
Where/live
Like/anybody in class

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