Present Perfect mit Zeitangaben (for, since, yet)
for, since und yet! Damit beschreibst du laufende Handlungen und Zustände perfekt.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the Present Perfect to connect past actions to the present moment using specific time markers like 'for', 'since', and 'yet'.
- Use 'for' for a duration of time, like 'for three hours'.
- Use 'since' for a specific starting point, like 'since 2010'.
- Use 'yet' in negatives and questions for expected actions, like 'not yet'.
Overview
Present Perfect ist für uns Deutschsprachige oft eine der größten Hürden auf dem Weg zum flüssigen Englisch. Warum? Weil es im Englischen eine Funktion erfüllt, die wir im Deutschen meistens mit dem Präsens (Gegenwart) oder dem Perfekt abdecken, dabei aber einer ganz anderen Logik folgt.Present Perfect wie eine Brücke vor. Diese Brücke verbindet die Vergangenheit mit der Gegenwart.for, since und yet funktioniert. Diese drei Wörter sind entscheidend, um Präzision in deine Aussagen zu bringen – egal ob du im Büro über Projektlaufzeiten sprichst, in der Uni deine Studiendauer erklärst oder beim Stammtisch von deinen Reiseerfahrungen berichtest.Present Perfect, um auszudrücken, dass dieser Zustand in der Vergangenheit begann und bis heute andauert. Ohne diese Zeitform klingen wir für Muttersprachler oft so, als würden wir über abgeschlossene Ereignisse sprechen, obwohl wir eigentlich über unser heutiges Leben berichten.Present Perfect mit for, since und yet funktioniert, müssen wir uns von der deutschen Grammatik-Logik ein Stück weit lösen.I am here since two hours jedoch grammatikalisch falsch. Hier greift das Prinzip der Current Relevance (Gegenwartsbezug).For – Die Dauer (Der Zeitraum)For wird verwendet, wenn wir ausdrücken wollen, wie lange ein Zeitraum andauert. Man kann es sich wie ein Lineal vorstellen, mit dem man eine Strecke auf einer Zeitachse misst. Es spielt keine Rolle, wann genau der Zeitraum begann, sondern nur, wie groß die Zeitspanne ist.for two hours(seit zwei Stunden)for five years(seit fünf Jahren)for a long time(seit langer Zeit)
Since – Der Startpunkt (Der Zeitpunkt)Since verwenden wir, wenn wir den genauen Moment benennen, an dem eine Handlung oder ein Zustand begonnen hat. Es ist wie eine Stecknadel auf einem Kalender. Ab diesem Punkt läuft die Zeit bis jetzt.since 2010(seit 2010)since Monday(seit Montag)since I was a child(seit ich ein Kind war)
for = Zeitraum, since = Zeitpunkt.Yet – Die ErwartungYet hat eine Sonderstellung. Es wird meist in negativen Sätzen und Fragen verwendet. Es signalisiert, dass wir darauf warten, dass etwas passiert, oder dass etwas bis zum jetzigen Moment noch nicht geschehen ist. Im Deutschen entspricht es oft „noch nicht“ oder „schon“ (in Fragen).I haven't finished yet.(Ich bin noch nicht fertig.)Have you seen the movie yet?(Hast du den Film schon gesehen?)
Present Perfect ist zum Glück sehr logisch und deutlich simpler als die deutschen Zeitformen mit ihren vielen Endungen. Wir benötigen lediglich zwei Bausteine: das Hilfsverb have (oder has) und das Past Participle (die 3. Verbform).I / You / We / They | have | worked | here for ages. |He / She / It | has | lived | in Munich since 2015. |I / You / We / They | have not (haven't) | called | him yet. |He / She / It | has not (hasn't) | arrived | yet. |- Regelmäßige Verben: Hier hängst du einfach
-edan den Infinitiv an (z. B.work→worked). - Unregelmäßige Verben: Diese musst du leider auswendig lernen (z. B.
see→saw→seen). Für dasPresent Perfectbrauchen wir immer die dritte Spalte (seen). - He, she, it, das 's' muss mit: Vergiss nicht, dass bei der 3. Person Singular
hasverwendet wird.
for, since und yet:forundsincestehen fast immer am Ende des Satzes, gefolgt von der Zeitangabe.yetsteht in der Regel ganz am Ende des Satzes.
for oder since, wenn etwas in der Vergangenheit angefangen hat und immer noch wahr ist.- *Szenario Wohnungssuche:* „Ich wohne seit drei Jahren in dieser WG.“ →
I have lived in this shared flat for three years.(Du wohnst immer noch dort.) - *Szenario Büro:* „Sie arbeitet seit Januar an diesem Projekt.“ →
She has worked on this project since January.(Das Projekt läuft noch.)
for/since ins Spiel.- „Ich spiele seit meiner Kindheit Klavier.“ →
I have played the piano since I was a child.
yet)yet unverzichtbar, um über den Status von Aufgaben zu berichten.- „Ich habe die E-Mail noch nicht abgeschickt.“ →
I haven't sent the email yet. - „Hat der Chef schon unterschrieben?“ →
Has the boss signed the document yet?
for oder since benutzt, aber die Logik ist dieselbe. Wenn du gerade erst fertig geworden bist, ist das Ergebnis jetzt relevant.- „Ich habe meinen Schlüssel verloren (und kann jetzt nicht rein).“ →
I have lost my keys.
I am here since two hours.- Warum das falsch ist:
sinceverlangt einen Zeitpunkt, keine Dauer. Außerdem braucht ein andauernder Zustand dasPresent Perfect. - Richtig:
I have been here for two hours.
I know him since 2010.- Warum das falsch ist:
knowist im Präsens. Das Englische verlangt aber die „Brücke“ zur Vergangenheit, also dasPresent Perfect. - Richtig:
I have known him since 2010.
sinceI lived here since 2015.- Warum das falsch ist: Das
Simple Past(lived) beschreibt eine abgeschlossene Handlung. Wenn du abersincebenutzt, sagst du ja, dass es noch andauert. Das ist ein logischer Widerspruch im Englischen. - Richtig:
I have lived here since 2015.
Present Perfect und dem Simple Past (Präteritum) wirklich zu verstehen, hilft ein direkter Vergleich. Das Simple Past ist eine „tote“ Zeitform – die Handlung ist vorbei und hat keinen direkten Bezug mehr zur Gegenwart. Das Present Perfect ist „lebendig“.yesterday, last week, in 2010, two days ago | for, since, yet, already, so far |I lived in Berlin for 2 years. (Ich wohne nicht mehr dort.) | I have lived in Berlin for 2 years. (Ich wohne noch dort.) |I went to Paris in 2019. (Einmaliges Event damals.) | I have been to Paris. (Ich habe die Erfahrung gemacht.) |Did you finish the report? (Frage nach dem Moment gestern.) | Have you finished the report yet? (Frage nach dem aktuellen Status.) |for auch im Simple Past benutzen?I worked there for three years bedeutet, dass du dort drei Jahre lang gearbeitet hast, aber jetzt nicht mehr dort arbeitest. I have worked there for three years bedeutet, dass du immer noch dort angestellt bist.since 2020 und from 2020?Since wird fast ausschließlich mit dem Present Perfect genutzt, um eine Dauer bis heute zu beschreiben. From wird eher benutzt, um allgemeine Zeitspannen zu definieren, oft in Kombination mit to (z. B.from 2020 to 2022). Wenn du „seit“ im Sinne von „bis jetzt“ meinst, ist since fast immer die richtige Wahl.yet am Ende des Satzes?yet als Signalwort ans Ende: I haven't eaten yet oder I haven't read the book yet. Es dient als Abschluss der Information.since auch für Sätze benutzen?Since kann nicht nur vor Daten stehen, sondern auch vor ganzen Sätzen im Simple Past. Beispiel: I have been happy since I moved to London. (Ich bin glücklich, seitdem ich nach London gezogen bin).Present Perfect Construction
| Subject | Auxiliary | Past Participle | Time Expression |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I / You / We / They
|
have
|
worked
|
for 2 years
|
|
He / She / It
|
has
|
worked
|
since 2021
|
|
I / You / We / They
|
haven't
|
finished
|
yet
|
|
He / She / It
|
hasn't
|
finished
|
yet
|
|
Have
|
you
|
eaten
|
yet?
|
|
Has
|
she
|
arrived
|
yet?
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Negative Contraction |
|---|---|---|
|
I have
|
I've
|
I haven't
|
|
You have
|
You've
|
You haven't
|
|
He has
|
He's
|
He hasn't
|
|
She has
|
She's
|
She hasn't
|
|
It has
|
It's
|
It hasn't
|
|
We have
|
We've
|
We haven't
|
|
They have
|
They've
|
They haven't
|
Meanings
The Present Perfect with time expressions describes states or actions that began in the past and continue into the present, or actions expected to happen soon.
Duration (For)
To express the total length of time an action has been happening up to now.
“They have been married for twenty years.”
“She has worked here for six months.”
Starting Point (Since)
To express the specific moment or date when an action began.
“I have known him since primary school.”
“It hasn't rained since last Tuesday.”
Expectation (Yet)
Used in negative sentences and questions to talk about something that hasn't happened but is expected to.
“Have you finished your homework yet?”
“The train hasn't arrived yet.”
Reference Table
| Zeitangabe | Bedeutung | Verwendung | Beispiel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
for
|
Dauer (ein Zeitraum)
|
Wie lange?
|
`for` + eine Zeitspanne
|
|
|
|
|
I've studied `for` three hours.
|
|
since
|
Startpunkt (ein bestimmter Zeitpunkt)
|
Ab wann?
|
`since` + ein Zeitpunkt (Datum, Ereignis)
|
|
|
|
|
She's been absent `since` Monday.
|
|
yet
|
Bis jetzt (Verneinung/Frage)
|
Ist es passiert?
|
Hauptsächlich in negativen Sätzen und Fragen
|
|
|
|
|
Have you finished `yet`? / I haven't finished `yet`.
|
Formalitätsspektrum
Have you completed the report yet? (Workplace)
Have you finished the report yet? (Workplace)
Done with the report yet? (Workplace)
You done yet? (Workplace)
Present Perfect mit For, Since, Yet
FOR (Dauer)
- Zeitspanne Wie lange etwas dauert
- For 2 hours Ein Zeitraum
- I have waited for ages. Laufende Handlung
SINCE (Startpunkt)
- Bestimmter Moment Wann etwas begann
- Since Monday Ein fester Zeitpunkt
- She has studied since 9 AM. Handlung begann & dauert an
YET (Noch nicht passiert / Frage)
- Bis jetzt Erwartung des Geschehens
- Haven't eaten yet Negativer Abschluss
- Have you seen it yet? Frage nach dem Abschluss
For vs. Since vs. Yet
Den richtigen Zeitenausdruck wählen
Dauert die Handlung von der Vergangenheit bis jetzt an?
Gibst du die *Dauer* an?
Gibst du den *Startpunkt* in der Zeit an?
Ist es ein negativer Satz oder eine Frage über etwas Erwartetes?
Häufige Kontexte für For, Since, Yet
Dauer
- • for three days
- • for a while
- • for ages
- • for many years
Startpunkt
- • since last week
- • since 2021
- • since I was born
- • since breakfast
Abschlussstatus
- • haven't done it yet
- • hasn't arrived yet
- • have you finished yet?
- • not yet
Beispiele nach Niveau
I have lived here for one year.
I have lived here for one year.
She has been a student since 2022.
She has been a student since 2022.
I have not seen the teacher yet.
I have not seen the teacher yet.
Have you finished yet?
Have you finished yet?
We have known each other for a long time.
We have known each other for a long time.
He hasn't called me since yesterday.
He hasn't called me since yesterday.
Has the bus arrived yet?
Has the bus arrived yet?
I've had this phone for six months.
I've had this phone for six months.
I have worked in this department since I joined the company.
I have worked in this department since I joined the company.
They haven't decided on the new project yet.
They haven't decided on the new project yet.
She has been sick for the last three days.
She has been sick for the last three days.
Have you seen the latest news about the strike yet?
Have you seen the latest news about the strike yet?
The economy has been in recession for several consecutive quarters.
The economy has been in recession for several consecutive quarters.
Since the implementation of the new law, crime rates have dropped.
Since the implementation of the new law, crime rates have dropped.
We haven't yet reached a consensus on the budget.
We haven't yet reached a consensus on the budget.
I've been meaning to ask you about that for ages.
I've been meaning to ask you about that for ages.
The company has yet to issue a formal apology for the data breach.
The company has yet to issue a formal apology for the data breach.
Ever since the dawn of the digital age, privacy has been a concern.
Ever since the dawn of the digital age, privacy has been a concern.
For as long as I can remember, this building has stood vacant.
For as long as I can remember, this building has stood vacant.
Have you not yet realized the gravity of the situation?
Have you not yet realized the gravity of the situation?
The philosophical implications of this theory have been debated for centuries.
The philosophical implications of this theory have been debated for centuries.
Since time immemorial, humans have sought meaning in the stars.
Since time immemorial, humans have sought meaning in the stars.
The board has yet to manifest any intention of revising the policy.
The board has yet to manifest any intention of revising the policy.
I have for some time now harbored doubts about his sincerity.
I have for some time now harbored doubts about his sincerity.
Leicht verwechselbar
Learners use Past Simple for ongoing actions or Present Perfect for finished times.
Using 'since' with a duration of time.
Using 'yet' in positive sentences.
Häufige Fehler
I live here for two years.
I have lived here for two years.
I have lived here since two years.
I have lived here for two years.
I have yet finished.
I haven't finished yet.
He have been here.
He has been here.
I have seen him since two days.
I have seen him for two days / I haven't seen him for two days.
Did you finish yet?
Have you finished yet?
I have worked since 3 hours.
I have worked for 3 hours.
I have been knowing him for years.
I have known him for years.
I have lived here since I am a child.
I have lived here since I was a child.
I haven't yet seen it.
I haven't seen it yet.
I have yet to not see it.
I have yet to see it.
Satzmuster
I have been a ___ for ___.
She hasn't ___ since ___.
Have you ___ yet?
It has been ___ since ___.
Real World Usage
I have worked in sales for over ten years.
Haven't left the house yet, see u soon!
I've had this cough since last night.
Has the gate opened yet?
We've been at the beach for 5 hours and I'm already sunburnt!
I haven't received my refund yet.
Denk an die 'Gegenwart-Verbindung'
I have lived here for a long time.(Ich lebe immer noch hier) vs.
I lived there for a year.(Ich lebe nicht mehr dort).
Achtung bei 'Yet'
Have you seen it yet?und "I haven't seen it yet.
sind korrekt, aber nichtI have seen it yet."
Abkürzung für Zustandsverben
I have known her). Das Present Perfect Continuous (z.B.
I have been knowing her) ist hier meistens falsch. So klingst du gleich viel natürlicher!
I have loved this song since I was a child.
Briten vs. Amerikaner
Did you eat yet?vs.
Have you eaten yet?). Beides wird verstanden, aber die feinen Unterschiede zu kennen, lässt dich lokaler klingen.
Übe mit deinem eigenen Leben
I have lived in Berlin for three years.oder "I haven't seen my best friend since last month."
Smart Tips
Try to answer the question 'When did it start?'. If the answer is your time expression, use 'since'. If it's not, use 'for'.
Use 'since' to show loyalty and long-term commitment to a company or skill.
Always use the Present Perfect with 'yet' and 'already' instead of the Past Simple.
Make sure the verb after 'since' is in the Past Simple, even if the main verb is Present Perfect.
Aussprache
Contraction Stress
In natural speech, 'I have' becomes 'I've' /aɪv/. The 'v' sound is very light.
Yet Emphasis
The word 'yet' at the end of a sentence often carries a rising intonation in questions.
Question Rise
Have you finished yet? ↗
Conveys a genuine inquiry or slight impatience.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
FOR is for the 'length' of the race; SINCE is for the 'starting' place.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a ruler (For) measuring a line, and a pin (Since) stuck into a specific date on a calendar. For measures; Since marks.
Rhyme
Since is the start, For is the part, Yet is the heart of the question's art.
Story
I have lived in this house for ten years. Since I moved in, I have painted every room. I haven't finished the kitchen yet, but I'm working on it!
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write three sentences about your current job or hobby using 'for', 'since', and 'yet'.
Kulturelle Hinweise
British speakers are very strict about using Present Perfect with 'yet'. Using Past Simple ('Did you eat yet?') sounds American.
In casual US speech, Past Simple is often used with 'yet' and 'already'.
Using 'since' to anchor your experience to a specific achievement is common in Western CVs.
The Present Perfect developed in Old English using the verb 'habban' (to have) plus a past participle to indicate possession of a completed state.
Gesprächseinstiege
How long have you lived in your current house?
Have you seen any good movies lately?
How long have you known your best friend?
Have you finished your goals for this year yet?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
I haven't bought a new phone ___ two years.
Find and fix the mistake:
She is living here since 2020.
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
Translate into English: 'Llevo tres horas estudiando.'
Answer starts with: ["I...
Score: /4
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesI have been a doctor ___ 2010.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
He hasn't yet finished his dinner.
They have arrived.
You can use 'since' with a duration of time like 'three weeks'.
A: Is the movie over? B: No, it ___.
Sort these: 1. Two hours, 2. Last night, 3. A long time.
Match: A. For, B. Since | 1. 1995, 2. Six months
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesHe ___ worked on this project for months.
I haven't visited my grandparents ___ last Christmas.
Have you already finished your homework yet?
They wait for the bus since ten minutes.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'No he comido desde esta mañana.'
Translate into English: '¿Has terminado tu informe todavía?'
Bringe diese Wörter in eine Satzreihenfolge:
Bringe diese Wörter in eine Satzreihenfolge:
Ordne jeden Satzanfang seinem richtigen Zeitenausdruck zu:
Ordne die Situationen dem richtigen Zeitenausdruck zu:
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
No, 'since' must be followed by a specific point in time (e.g., `since 2010`). For durations, use `for`.
Yes, it is grammatically correct and more formal. However, in B1 English, placing `yet` at the end is more common and natural.
Because 'know' is a stative verb. Stative verbs (like know, like, believe) are rarely used in the continuous form, even in the Present Perfect.
`For` measures the length of time (a period). `Since` marks the start of the time (a point).
No, use `already` for positive sentences. `I have already finished` vs `I haven't finished yet`.
Yes, Americans often use the Past Simple with 'yet' (e.g., `Did you eat yet?`), whereas British English prefers the Present Perfect.
Yes! You can say `since I was a child` or `since we met`. The verb in that clause is usually in the Past Simple.
No, `for ages` is an informal idiom meaning 'for a very long time'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Pretérito Perfecto / Presente + desde hace
English MUST use Present Perfect for 'how long' situations.
Passé Composé / Présent + depuis
English uses Present Perfect for ongoing states, whereas French uses the Present.
Perfekt / Präsens + seit
German speakers often incorrectly use Present Simple in English ('I am here since Monday').
~te iru / ~kara
Japanese doesn't have a direct 'have + V3' auxiliary structure.
Mundhu + Present/Past
Arabic does not have a specific 'perfect' aspect like English.
Le (了) / Yijing (已经)
Chinese has no verb conjugation for tense or person.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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