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Present Perfect: Spanish Speakers' Errors with 'Since' and Finished Time

By Philip Simon ·

Spanish speakers often say 'I work here since two years' in English. This is incorrect. The Spanish phrase 'desde hace' does not map directly to the English present tense. English requires the present perfect when an action started in the past and continues now. Spanish speakers also use the present perfect for finished actions with specific past times such as 'yesterday'. This is also incorrect. This guide explains the differences and provides clear rules.

  1. Map 'desde hace' to the present perfect structure

    Spanish uses 'desde hace' with the present tense to describe ongoing actions. English requires the present perfect to express the same meaning. When translating 'Trabajo aquí desde hace dos años', use 'I have worked here for two years' or 'I have been working here for two years'. Never use the present simple 'I work here since two years'. The word 'since' requires a perfect tense in English.

    Use 'for' to express duration. Use 'since' only with a starting point. Example: 'I have lived here since 2020.'

  2. Use simple past with finished time expressions

    Spanish speakers often use the present perfect for actions with finished time markers such as 'yesterday', 'last week', or 'in 2019'. English requires the simple past in these cases. The present perfect is used only for unfinished time periods such as 'today' or 'this year'. This is a hard rule with no exceptions.

    If the time word indicates a finished period, use simple past. If the time is still active, use present perfect.

  3. Distinguish 'already' and 'yet' in English

    The Spanish word 'ya' can mean 'already' or 'yet' depending on context. English uses 'already' and 'yet' with different positions. 'Already' usually comes before the main verb or at the end. 'Yet' appears at the end of questions and negatives. Do not use 'yet' in affirmative statements.

    Say 'I have already arrived' or 'Have you arrived yet?' Do not say 'I have arrived yet' in affirmative sentences.

  4. Avoid the 'ago' trigger

    The word 'ago' always requires the simple past. Spanish speakers sometimes say 'I have eaten a sandwich five minutes ago' which is incorrect. The present perfect cannot be used with 'ago'. Use 'I ate a sandwich five minutes ago' instead.

    Never use the present perfect with 'ago'. Use simple past instead.

  5. Use the present perfect for indefinite life experiences

    When talking about life experiences without specifying when, English prefers the present perfect. Spanish may use the simple past in such cases. Use 'Have you ever been to Paris?' for life experiences. If you specify when, switch to simple past: 'I went to Paris in 2020.'

    Use 'Have you ever...?' for experiences. Use 'Did you...?' when asking for a specific time.

Common questions

Can I say 'I live here since 2020' if I still live there?

No. The phrase 'I live here since 2020' is grammatically incorrect in English. You must say 'I have lived here since 2020' or 'I have been living here since 2020'.

Why can't I say 'I have seen him yesterday'?

Because 'yesterday' is a finished time. English requires the simple past 'I saw him yesterday'. The present perfect only works for unfinished time periods such as 'today' or 'this week'.

What is the difference between 'already' and 'yet' for Spanish speakers?

'Already' means the action happened sooner than expected and usually comes before the main verb or at the end. 'Yet' means the action has not happened but is expected and appears at the end of questions or negatives. Spanish uses 'ya' for both, but English distinguishes them by position.

Keep practising

Sources

  1. Learner English, Cambridge University Press.

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