Presente Perfecto con Expresiones de Tiempo (for, since, yet)
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 es, posiblemente, uno de los puentes más importantes que cruzarás en tu camino hacia la fluidez en inglés. Para nosotros, los hispanohablantes, este tiempo verbal puede parecer familiar a primera vista porque se parece mucho a nuestro pretérito perfecto compuesto (como cuando decimos he comido o hemos visto). Sin embargo, aquí es donde debemos tener cuidado: aunque la estructura es similar, la lógica de uso en inglés tiene matices que no siempre coinciden con el español.Present Perfect es un puente físico. Un extremo del puente está anclado en el pasado y el otro llega hasta el presente. Este tiempo verbal no se trata solo de lo que ocurrió, sino de cómo lo que ocurrió sigue siendo relevante *ahora mismo*.Present Perfect es la herramienta que conecta ambos mundos.for, since y yet, le estamos dando al oyente una brújula temporal precisa. Estas palabras nos permiten decir cuánto tiempo ha durado algo, cuándo empezó o si algo que esperábamos que sucediera ya ocurrió o no. Dominar esto es lo que te hará pasar de sonar como alguien que traduce palabras sueltas a sonar como alguien que realmente entiende la dinámica del idioma.Present Perfect con for, since y yet, primero debemos interiorizar el concepto de relevancia presente. En inglés, si una acción terminó en el pasado y no tiene conexión con el ahora, usamos el Simple Past (I ate). Pero si hay un hilo conductor hacia el presente, el Present Perfect entra en juego.- 1
For(Durante / Hace): Usamosforpara medir la duración de un periodo de tiempo. Piensa en ello como un bloque de tiempo completo. En español, a veces decimosLlevo viviendo aquí *por* diez años
oVivo aquí *desde hace* diez años
. En inglés, ese bloque de tiempo se expresa siempre confor. Nos indica *cuánto tiempo* ha pasado desde que empezó la acción hasta ahora.
- 1
Since(Desde): Usamossincepara marcar el punto de inicio específico. No nos interesa la duración total, sino el momento exacto en el calendario o en el reloj donde todo comenzó. Puede ser una fecha (since 1998), una hora (since 8:00 AM) o un evento en el pasado (since I was a child). Es el punto de partida del hilo que llega hasta hoy.
- 1
Yet(Todavía / Ya): Esta es una palabra fascinante para los hispanohablantes. En oraciones negativas,yetsignificatodavía nooaún no. En preguntas, suele traducirse comoya. Su función lógica es expresar una expectativa. Si usasyet, es porque esperas que algo suceda. Por ejemplo, si dicesI haven't finished yet, estás comunicando que no has terminado, pero que tienes la intención de hacerlo pronto.
Vivo en Madrid desde 2010. Si traduces esto literalmente al inglés como
I live in Madrid since 2010, estarás cometiendo un error gramatical grave. En inglés, si la acción empezó en el pasado y sigue hoy, debes usar el Present Perfect: I have lived in Madrid since 2010.Present Perfect es constante, sin importar qué expresión de tiempo utilices. Se compone de dos partes: el auxiliar have / has y el past participle (la tercera columna de tu lista de verbos).I / You / We / They | have | worked | for three hours. |He / She / It | has | been | here since Monday. |I / You / We / They | haven't | arrived | yet. |He / She / It | hasn't | called | yet. |Sujeto + have/has + Past Participle + for/since + tiempo.We have known each other since university.(Nos conocemos desde la universidad).She has worked at the hospital for ages.(Ella ha trabajado en el hospital por siglos).
Sujeto + haven't/hasn't + Past Participle + for/since/yet.I haven't seen that movie yet.(Aún no he visto esa película).They haven't visited us since Christmas.(No nos han visitado desde Navidad).
Have/Has + Sujeto + Past Participle + ...?.Have you finished your homework yet?(¿Ya terminaste tu tarea?).Has he lived in London for long?(¿Ha vivido él en Londres por mucho tiempo?).
have no significa tener (posesión), sino haber. Es un error común intentar usar otros verbos para expresar duración porque en español usamos el verbo llevar (Llevo dos horas esperando). En inglés, siempre es have/has.cuándo es lo que te dará la confianza para hablar en una reunión de trabajo o en un viaje. Aquí tienes los escenarios principales:for y since. Imagina que empezaste a estudiar inglés en 2020 y hoy, en 2024, sigues estudiando. Esa continuidad requiere el Present Perfect.I have studied English since 2020.I have studied English for four years.
yet. Se usa casi exclusivamente en negativas y preguntas para hablar de algo que no ha pasado, pero que es inminente o esperado.- Situación de oficina:
The boss hasn't signed the document yet.(Estamos esperando que lo haga). - Situación social:
Have you met the new neighbor yet?(Es natural que lo conozcas pronto).
cuándo exacto, sino el hecho de que lo has vivido. Si añades for o since, estás precisando esa experiencia.He has been a fan of Real Madrid since he was a kid.They have traveled around Europe for months.
Present Perfect es ideal para describir cómo algo ha evolucionado desde un punto de partida.The city has changed a lot since the last time I visited.Your English has improved since we last spoke!
Vivo aquí desde hace un año.
I live here since one year. (Incorrecto).I have lived here for one year.I live) solo se usa para rutinas o verdades permanentes, no para duraciones que vienen del pasado.For y SinceI have been here since two hours.I have been here for 2 o'clock.for. Si es un nombre en el calendario o una posición en el reloj (lunes, enero, las 5:00, mi infancia), usa since.Past ParticipleI have see that movie.I have seen that movie.tercera columna de los verbos más comunes (seen, done, been, gone, written).YetTodavía no he comidoo
No he comido todavía. En inglés,
yet tiene una posición muy rígida: al final de la oración.I haven't yet eaten. (Suena poco natural).I haven't eaten yet.Present Perfect del Simple Past. Muchos alumnos se confunden porque ambos hablan de cosas que ocurrieron antes de ahora. La diferencia radica en si el periodo de tiempo ha terminado o no.this week). | Específico y terminado (yesterday, last year). |for, since, yet, already, ever. | ago, yesterday, in 1990, when I was... |I have lost my keys. (No las tengo ahora). | I lost my keys yesterday. (Quizás ya las encontré). |he comido) es muy similar al inglés. Sin embargo, en la mayor parte de Latinoamérica, solemos usar más el pasado simple (ya comí) incluso para cosas recientes. Si eres de Latinoamérica, tendrás que hacer un esfuerzo extra para usar el Present Perfect en situaciones donde normalmente usarías el pasado simple en español.for con el pasado simple?I lived in Paris for two years, significa que viviste allí en el pasado y ya no vives ahí. Si dices I have lived in Paris for two years, significa que todavía vives allí.since y from?desde, since se usa exclusivamente con tiempos perfectos (Present Perfect, Past Perfect). From se usa generalmente para rangos de tiempo con to o until (from 9:00 to 5:00) o con el futuro.Yet se puede usar en oraciones afirmativas?ya, usamos already. Por ejemplo: I have already finished (Ya he terminado). Usar yet en afirmativo es extremadamente raro y solo ocurre en estructuras muy formales o literarias que no verás en el nivel B1.for o since?¿Es un punto en el tiempo o una cantidad de tiempo?.
- Si es un punto (Navidad, el lunes, las 4:00, 2010) ->
Since. - Si es una cantidad (5 minutos, 2 semanas, mucho tiempo) ->
For.
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
| Expresión de Tiempo | Significado | Uso | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|---|
|
for
|
Duración (un periodo de tiempo)
|
¿Por cuánto tiempo?
|
`for` + una extensión de tiempo
|
|
|
|
|
I've studied `for` three hours.
|
|
since
|
Punto de inicio (un momento específico)
|
¿Desde cuándo?
|
`since` + un punto en el tiempo (fecha, evento)
|
|
|
|
|
She's been absent `since` Monday.
|
|
yet
|
Hasta ahora (negativo/pregunta)
|
¿Ha ocurrido ya?
|
Principalmente en oraciones negativas y preguntas
|
|
|
|
|
Have you finished `yet`? / I haven't finished `yet`.
|
Espectro de formalidad
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 con For, Since, Yet
FOR (Duración)
- Tiempo transcurrido Cuánto dura algo
- For 2 hours Un período
- I have waited for ages. Acción en curso
SINCE (Punto de Inicio)
- Momento específico Cuándo empezó algo
- Since Monday Un punto fijo
- She has studied since 9 AM. Acción que empezó y continúa
YET (No ocurrido / Pregunta)
- Hasta ahora Expectativa de que ocurra
- Haven't eaten yet No completado (negativo)
- Have you seen it yet? Pregunta sobre finalización
For vs. Since vs. Yet
Eligiendo la Expresión de Tiempo Correcta
¿La acción está en curso desde el pasado hasta ahora?
¿Estás indicando la *duración* del tiempo?
¿Estás indicando el *punto de inicio* en el tiempo?
¿Es una frase negativa o una pregunta sobre algo que se espera que ocurra?
Contextos Comunes para For, Since, Yet
Duración
- • for three days
- • for a while
- • for ages
- • for many years
Punto de Inicio
- • since last week
- • since 2021
- • since I was born
- • since breakfast
Estado de Finalización
- • haven't done it yet
- • hasn't arrived yet
- • have you finished yet?
- • not yet
Ejemplos por nivel
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.
Fácil de confundir
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.
Errores comunes
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.
Patrones de oraciones
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.
Piensa en 'Conexión Presente'
I have lived here for five years(y aún vives aquí) vs.
I lived there for five years(y ya no).
Cuidado con 'Yet'
Have you finished your homework yet?o tú dices "I haven't finished my homework yet.".
Truco para Verbos de Estado
I have known her for years(la conozco desde hace años), no
I have been knowing her for years(lo cual suena raro). ¡Un atajo para sonar más nativo!
Británicos vs. Americanos
Did you eat yet?(¿Ya comiste?), y un británico:
Have you eaten yet?(¿Has comido ya?). Ambas se entienden, pero conocer las sutilezas te ayuda a sonar más local.
Practica con Tu Propia Vida
have you lived (has vivido) en tu ciudad? ¿Qué have you been doing(has estado haciendo)
since this morning (desde esta mañana)? Esta conexión personal hace que la gramática se quede contigo.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.
Pronunciación
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.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
FOR is for the 'length' of the race; SINCE is for the 'starting' place.
Asociación visual
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
Desafío
Write three sentences about your current job or hobby using 'for', 'since', and 'yet'.
Notas culturales
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.
Inicios de conversación
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?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
I haven't bought a new phone ___ two years.
For se usa para expresar una duración de tiempo ('two years'). Since necesita un punto de inicio, y yet es para negativas/preguntas sobre algo que aún no se ha completado.Find and fix the mistake:
She is living here since 2020.
since 2020) y continúa hasta el presente, debemos usar el Present Perfect o Present Perfect Continuous, no el Simple Present. ¡Así conectamos el pasado y el presente!Elige la frase correcta:
Yet se usa correctamente en una frase negativa en Present Perfect para indicar que algo aún no se ha completado. Already es para frases afirmativas, y didn't es Simple Past, que no encaja con 'yet'.Translate into English: 'Llevo tres horas estudiando.'
Answer starts with: ["I...
Score: /4
Ejercicios de practica
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?'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Une el inicio de cada frase con su expresión de tiempo correcta:
Une las situaciones con la expresión de tiempo adecuada.
Score: /11
Preguntas frecuentes (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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