Situations Up to Now — Test Questions
Six present perfect questions on unfinished time: for vs since, so far, and present perfect instead of present simple for continuing states. Part of the Present Perfect Test.
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David has worked in Mexico ___ ten years.
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for
Use 'for' with a period of time — 'for ten years'.
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I haven't seen her ___ Tuesday.
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since
Use 'since' with a specific point in time — 'since Tuesday'.
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I ___ married for ten years.
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've been
For a situation that started in the past and continues now, use the present perfect — not present simple.
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We've had four holidays ___ this year, and it's only September!
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so far
'So far' = 'up to now' — fits an unfinished period like 'this year'.
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John has worked here since he ___ school.
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left
The verb after 'since' is usually in the past simple — 'since he left'.
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That was the worst film I ___ seen!
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've ever
Superlative + present perfect with 'ever' — 'the worst film I've ever seen'.
Present Perfect: Situations Up to Now
This block tests the present perfect for situations that began in the past and are still true now — the 'unfinished time' use. The two prepositions that most often accompany it, 'for' and 'since', are tested directly, alongside the superlative pattern and the rule that continuing states cannot take the present simple.
For a Period, Since a Starting Point
'For' always introduces a length of time: 'for ten years', 'for ages'. 'Since' always introduces the moment a situation began, whether that is a date, a day, or a clause: 'since Tuesday', 'since he left school'. Notice that the verb inside a 'since' clause is usually past simple, even though the main clause is present perfect.
I haven't seen her since Tuesday.
John has worked here since he left school.
So Far and Continuing States
'So far' means 'up to now' and fits naturally with an unfinished period such as 'this year'. A state that started in the past and is still true — being married, living somewhere — must use the present perfect, not the present simple: 'I've been married for ten years', not 'I am married for ten years'.
I've been married for ten years. (not 'I am married for ten years')
That was the worst film I've ever seen! (superlative + present perfect + 'ever')
Common Mistakes
✗ I'm married for ten years. → ✓ I've been married for ten years.
✗ John has worked here since he has left school. → ✓ since he left school.
Last updated: · Satori Editorial