Things of Interest to English Learners
Perfect Tenses

"I have lived here for two years."
"I lived here for two years."
What's the difference? Learn about "perfect" verb tenses in this lesson.

"I have lived in Mexico for two years." This sentence tells you that I began living here two years ago, and I live here now.

"I lived in Mexico for two years." This sentence tells you that sometime in the past, I lived in Mexico for two years, but not now.

"Perfect" tenses can be used to talk about the present, the past, or the future:

  • Present perfect: I have lived in Mexico for two years.

  • Past perfect: I had lived in Mexico for two years.

  • Future perfect: I will have lived in Mexico for two years.

Intermediate and Advanced learners can learn more about perfect tenses in this article and audio from VOA Learning English: Everyday Grammar.