Present Perfect avec expressions de temps (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 est souvent la bête noire des apprenants francophones, et c'est tout à fait compréhensible. Pourquoi ? Parce qu'il n'a pas d'équivalent direct et unique en français.flou qui crée la confusion.Present Perfect comme un pont. Un pont qui relie le passé au présent. Contrairement au Simple Past (le prétérit), qui s'intéresse à une action terminée, enterrée et datée, le Present Perfect s'intéresse à ce qui est encore vrai maintenant, ou à l'impact qu'une action passée a sur ton présent.for, since et yet, c'est passer du stade de je traduis mot à motau stade de "je m'exprime comme un natif". C'est ce qui va te permettre de parler de ton expérience professionnelle, de tes voyages ou de tes projets en cours avec précision. Si tu dis
I live here since two years, un anglophone te comprendra, mais il saura immédiatement que tu traduis du français.I have lived here for two years, tu sonnes soudainement beaucoup plus professionnel et fluide.Present Perfect avec for, since et yet, il faut changer de perspective sur le temps. En français, nous utilisons souvent le présent pour une action qui continue (Je travaille ici depuis 2010). En anglais, c'est impossible.Present Perfect.For (La durée)For sert à mesurer une quantité de temps. On l'utilise pour indiquer pendant combien de temps une action a duré jusqu'à aujourd'hui.- Logique : C'est un bloc de temps (une heure, trois jours, dix ans).
- Comparaison : En français, on le traduit souvent par
pendantoudepuis. - Exemple :
I have known him for ten years(Je le connais depuis dix ans / Cela fait dix ans que je le connais).
Since (Le point de départ)Since sert à identifier un moment précis dans le passé où l'action a commencé.- Logique : C'est un point sur une ligne du temps (lundi dernier, 1995, mon anniversaire, mon arrivée à Paris).
- Comparaison : C'est l'équivalent direct de notre
depuissuivi d'une date ou d'un événement. - Exemple :
I have worked here since Monday(Je travaille ici depuis lundi).
Yet (L'attente)Yet est un adverbe qui exprime une attente. On l'utilise principalement dans les phrases négatives et les questions pour dire que quelque chose ne s'est pas encore produit, mais qu'on s'attend à ce que cela arrive.- Logique : Il crée un lien entre ce qu'on espérait voir accompli et la réalité actuelle.
- Emplacement : Il se place presque toujours à la fin de la phrase.
- Exemple :
Has the mail arrived yet?(Est-ce que le courrier est déjà arrivé ?).
Present Perfect est constante, peu importe l'expression de temps que tu ajoutes à la fin. C'est une structure composée :HAVE (au présent) + Participe Passé du verbe.I / You / We / They | have ('ve) | lived | in Paris for six months. |He / She / It | has ('s) | started | the project since January. |I / You / We / They | have not (haven't) | finished | the report yet. |He / She / It | has not (hasn't) | called | me yet. |- L'auxiliaire est TOUJOURS
have. Même pour les verbes de mouvement. En français, on ditJe suis allé
, mais en anglais, on ditI have gone. N'utilise jamaisbecomme auxiliaire ici. - Le participe passé : Pour les verbes réguliers, c'est facile, on ajoute
-ed. Pour les irréguliers (seen,done,been,written), il n'y a pas de secret, il faut les apprendre par cœur. C'est la troisième colonne de tes tableaux de verbes.
- Avec
for:We have been married for twenty years.(On est mariés depuis 20 ans. L'accent est sur la durée du mariage). - Avec
since:She has been a manager since she was 25.(Elle est manager depuis qu'elle a 25 ans. L'accent est sur le moment où elle a commencé).
I have traveled to Japan three times.(Je suis allé au Japon trois fois).I haven't seen that movie yet.(Je n'ai pas encore vu ce film).
Yetyet est indispensable pour faire le point sur des tâches.- Négatif :
The client hasn't signed the contract yet.(Le client n'a pas encore signé le contrat). Ici, on sous-entend que la signature est attendue. - Interrogatif :
Have you finished the presentation yet?(As-tu fini la présentation ?). On demande si l'action attendue est enfin accomplie.
Depuis)- Faux :
I am here since three days. - Vrai :
I have been here for three days. - Pourquoi ? En français, on utilise le présent pour une action qui continue. En anglais, le présent simple (
I am) ne sert qu'aux vérités générales ou aux habitudes. Pour une action qui a une origine dans le passé, lePresent Perfectest obligatoire.
For et Since- Faux :
I have lived here since two months. - Vrai :
I have lived here for two months. - Pourquoi ? C'est l'erreur la plus commune. Rappelle-toi :
Since+ une date/un point précis.For+ une durée. Si tu peux compter les unités (2 mois, 5 minutes, 10 ans), utilisefor.
- Faux :
I have seen him yesterday. - Vrai :
I saw him yesterday. - Pourquoi ? Dès que tu donnes une date précise et terminée (
yesterday,last week,in 1998), le pont avec le présent est coupé. Tu dois utiliser leSimple Past. LePresent Perfectdéteste les dates précises terminées.
Present Perfect et le Simple Past.for/since/yet) | Simple Past (Prétérit) |for) ou des débuts (since). | Oui. On utilise yesterday, ago, last.... |I've lost my keys! (Je ne les ai toujours pas). | I lost my keys yesterday. (C'est un fait passé). |yet | I haven't eaten yet. (J'ai faim maintenant). | Impossible avec yet dans ce sens. |for avec le Simple Past ?I lived in London for two years(auSimple Past) signifie que c'est fini, je n'y habite plus.I have lived in London for two years(auPresent Perfect) signifie que j'y habite encore.
yet exactement ?I haven't yet finished, mais I haven't finished yet. C'est une règle de placement assez stricte qui aide à la fluidité de la phrase.yet et already ?- On utilise
already(déjà) dans les phrases affirmatives :I have already finished. - On utilise
yet(pas encore / déjà) dans les phrases négatives et les questions :I haven't finished yet.
since I was a child ?I was a child est considéré comme un point précis dans le passé (ton enfance). C'est une proposition qui sert de date de départ. C'est très courant et très naturel.avant mais qui touche encore ton maintenant, sors ton Present Perfect. Utilise for pour la longueur du chemin, since pour le point de départ, et yet si tu attends toujours d'arriver au bout !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
| Expression de temps | Signification | Utilisation | Exemple |
|---|---|---|---|
|
for
|
Durée (une période de temps)
|
Combien de temps ?
|
`for` + une durée
|
|
|
|
|
I've studied `for` three hours.
|
|
since
|
Point de départ (un moment précis)
|
Depuis quand ?
|
`since` + un point dans le temps (date, événement)
|
|
|
|
|
She's been absent `since` Monday.
|
|
yet
|
Jusqu'à maintenant (négatif/question)
|
Est-ce que c'est arrivé ?
|
Principalement dans les phrases négatives et les questions
|
|
|
|
|
Have you finished `yet`? / I haven't finished `yet`.
|
Spectre de formalité
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 avec For, Since, Yet
FOR (Durée)
- Durée de temps Combien de temps quelque chose dure
- For 2 hours Une période
- I have waited for ages. Action continue
SINCE (Point de Départ)
- Moment spécifique Quand quelque chose a commencé
- Since Monday Un point fixe
- She has studied since 9 AM. Action commencée et continue
YET (Pas encore / Question)
- Jusqu'à maintenant Attente d'un événement
- Haven't eaten yet Achèvement négatif
- Have you seen it yet? Question sur l'achèvement
For vs. Since vs. Yet
Choisir la bonne expression de temps
L'action est-elle continue du passé à maintenant ?
Indiques-tu la *longueur* du temps ?
Indiques-tu le *point de départ* dans le temps ?
Est-ce une phrase négative ou une question sur quelque chose qui devrait arriver ?
Contextes courants pour For, Since, Yet
Durée
- • for three days
- • for a while
- • for ages
- • for many years
Point de départ
- • since last week
- • since 2021
- • since I was born
- • since breakfast
Statut d'achèvement
- • haven't done it yet
- • hasn't arrived yet
- • have you finished yet?
- • not yet
Exemples par 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.
Facile à confondre
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.
Erreurs courantes
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.
Structures de phrases
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.
Pense 'Connexion au Présent'
I saw her yesterday.
Attention à 'Yet'
mais I have already eaten."Raccourci Verbes d'État
I have known her), et non le Present Perfect Continuous (par ex.,
I have been knowing herest généralement incorrect). C'est un bon moyen de sonner plus naturel : "I've known him for years."
Britanniques vs Américains
Did you eat yet?vs
Have you eaten yet?). Les deux sont compris, mais connaître les subtiles différences peut te faire sonner plus local :
Did you finish your work yet?
Entraîne-toi avec Ta Propre Vie
I have lived here for ten years.ou "I haven't seen my brother since Monday."
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.
Prononciation
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.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
FOR is for the 'length' of the race; SINCE is for the 'starting' place.
Association visuelle
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
Défi
Write three sentences about your current job or hobby using 'for', 'since', and 'yet'.
Notes culturelles
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.
Amorces de conversation
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?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
I haven't bought a new phone ___ two years.
Find and fix the mistake:
She is living here since 2020.
Choisis la bonne phrase :
Traduis en anglais : 'Llevo tres horas estudiando.'
Answer starts with: ["I...
Score: /4
Exercices pratiques
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:
Associe le début de chaque phrase à l'expression de temps correcte :
Associe les situations à l'expression de temps correcte :
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
Vidéos associées
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