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1 The Big Idea
Two Choices Choose the Tense
📘 Level 2 — Review

Level 2 teaches two tenses: the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Continuous. In this review, you also choose between them and the Past Simple. All three come from the same two choices you use in every tense. First choose the time. Then choose what you want to say. Here you use choices A, C, and D.

Choice 1 — The time

Ask: do you say when it happened?

Yes (yesterday, in 2019, last week) → it is past.

No → you connect the past to now.

Choice 2 — What you want to say

There are four choices.

A
Simple. Just say it.
B
Continuous. Say it is in progress.
C
Perfect. Say it is finished, or done before another time.
D
Perfect continuous. Say how long it has gone on.
Time + choiceTenseExample
Past + A (just say it, with a finished time)Past SimpleI visited Boston last summer.
Now + C (finished, a result or a number now)Present PerfectShe has lost her keys.
Now + D (how long, a long activity)Present Perfect ContinuousWe have been waiting for an hour.

Look at five sentences. Each one shows a different time and choice.

  • I visited Boston last summer. (You say when: past + A → Past Simple)
  • She has lost her keys. (A result now: now + C → Present Perfect)
  • We have been waiting for an hour. (How long, still happening: now + D → Present Perfect Continuous)
  • They have sold two houses this year. (A time not finished, a number: now + C → Present Perfect)
  • He has been running, so he is out of breath. (How long, just stopped: now + D → Present Perfect Continuous)
2 The Map
Where Each Use Lives

This map shows every use in Level 2. The last column links to the lesson that teaches it.

The useExampleTenseLesson
You say when it happened (a finished time)I saw her yesterday.Past Simple35, 45
A life experience (ever, never)Have you ever visited Italy?Present Perfect33
A past action with a result nowI have lost my keys.Present Perfect34
A time not finished (today, this week)She has sent five emails today.Present Perfect35
A length of time or a starting time, still true nowI have lived here since 2019.Present Perfect36
A very short time agoThey have just left.Present Perfect37
Done already, or not done yetI haven’t eaten yet.Present Perfect38
A total or a numberHe has read ten books this year.Present Perfect40
A superlativeIt is the best movie I have ever seen.Present Perfect41
“It’s been” + time + “since”It’s been a year since I saw him.Past Simple after “since”39
A long activity, still happeningI have been working here since June.Present Perfect Continuous42
A long activity that just stopped, with a result you can seeShe has been running, so she is tired.Present Perfect Continuous43
A new or temporary habit (lately)I have been going to the gym lately.Present Perfect Continuous44
3 Same Verb, Three Tenses
Time Words Choose the Tense

One verb can use all three tenses. The time words and the meaning choose the tense.

She wrote a letter yesterday. (You say when.)
She has written three letters this week. (A number. The time is not finished.)
She has been writing letters all morning. (A long activity.)
They played soccer on Saturday.
They have played soccer twice this month.
They have been playing soccer since noon.
He cleaned the garage last week.
He has cleaned the garage. Look at it!
He has been cleaning the garage all day.

Use two quick tests:

How many? You can answer with a number. Use the Present Perfect.
How long? You can answer with a length of time. Use the Present Perfect Continuous.
4 Special Cases
Three Cases to Remember
1. State verbs use the Present Perfect

Some verbs describe a condition, not an action. They do not use -ing.

  • I have known her for years.
  • He has owned this shop since 2010.
  • We have needed help since Monday.
  • She has loved music all her life.
  • They have wanted a dog for a long time.
2. Ask with the Present Perfect. Give details with the Past Simple.
A: Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
B: Yes, I have. I flew in one last year.
A: Has she ever won a prize?
B: Yes, she has. She won a gold medal in 2016.

A WHEN question uses the Past Simple: When did you fly in one?

3. “It’s been” + time + “since” uses the Past Simple after “since”
  • It’s been three years since I saw her.
  • It’s been a week since she called.
  • How long has it been since you ate?
5 Common Mistakes
Watch Out For These
❌ Mistake 1 — Present Perfect when you say when
✗ I have seen him yesterday.
✗ We have moved here in 2020.
✗ She has called me two days ago.
✓ I saw him yesterday.
✓ We moved here in 2020.
✓ She called me two days ago.
These sentences say when. Use the Past Simple.
❌ Mistake 2 — Past Simple with a time not finished
✗ I didn’t send any emails this week.
✗ She wrote two reports today.
✗ We didn’t see him this month.
✓ I haven’t sent any emails this week.
✓ She has written two reports today.
✓ We haven’t seen him this month.
This week, today, and this month are not finished. Use the Present Perfect.
❌ Mistake 3 — A state verb with -ing
✗ I have been knowing her for years.
✗ He has been owning that shop since 2010.
✗ We have been needing help since Monday.
✓ I have known her for years.
✓ He has owned that shop since 2010.
✓ We have needed help since Monday.
State verbs do not use -ing. Use the Present Perfect.
❌ Mistake 4 — A number with the continuous form
✗ I have been writing five emails today.
✗ She has been reading three books this month.
✓ I have written five emails today.
✓ She has read three books this month.
A number answers How many? Use the Present Perfect. Use the Present Perfect Continuous for How long?
6 Practice
Try It Yourself
Exercise A — Which Tense Does the Sentence Need?

Click the tense that completes the sentence correctly.

  • 1
    We in Chicago in 2015. (live)
    ✓ Correct — “in 2015” says when, so use the Past Simple.
  • 2
    My hands are dirty. I in the garden all morning. (work)
    ✓ Correct — It is a long activity, and you can see the result now.
  • 3
    He his keys. Now he cannot open the door. (lose)
    ✓ Correct — It is one event with a result now.
  • 4
    It for two hours, and it is still raining. (rain)
    ✓ Correct — The long activity is still happening.
  • 5
    They three houses this year. (buy)
    ✓ Correct — “This year” is a time not finished, and the number can grow.
  • 6
    I that movie two weeks ago. (see)
    ✓ Correct — “Two weeks ago” says when, so use the Past Simple.
  • 7
    He this car since 2018. (own)
    ✓ Correct — “Own” is a state verb. State verbs do not use -ing.
  • 8
    Sam his arm last winter. (break)
    ✓ Correct — “Last winter” says when, so use the Past Simple.
Exercise B — Complete the Sentence

Type the correct verb form for the verb given.

  • 1
    I my homework yet. (not / finish)
  • 2
    She in Madrid in 2012. (live)
  • 3
    They are tired. They all day. (walk)
  • 4
    He five emails this week. (send)
  • 5
    My brother a new job last month. (find)
  • 6
    Come and eat! We dinner. (just / cook)
  • 7
    I my phone number for years. (not / change)
  • 8
    It since breakfast, so the streets are wet. (rain)
Exercise C — Fix the Mistake

Each sentence has a mistake in the verb. The wrong form is shown in brackets. Type the correct verb form.

  • 1
    I him yesterday. (wrong: (have seen))
  • 2
    When this job? (wrong: (have you started))
  • 3
    She him for years. (wrong: (has been knowing))
  • 4
    He his leg, so he cannot walk. (wrong: (has been breaking))
  • 5
    We here five years ago. (wrong: (have moved))
  • 6
    I this essay for three days. I am still writing it. (wrong: (wrote))
  • 7
    She her report yet. (wrong: (didn’t finish))
  • 8
    He any emails this week. (wrong: (didn’t send))
Exercise D — Mini Conversations: Type the Verb

Type the correct verb form in speaker B’s answer, or in the question.

  • 1
    A: Why are your clothes so dirty?
    B: I the car all morning. (wash)
  • 2
    A: Do you know Maria?
    B: Yes, I her since college. (know)
  • 3
    A: Do you live here now?
    B: Yes. We here in 2018. (move)
  • 4
    A: Is the pizza here?
    B: Not yet. They it. (not / bring)
  • 5
    A: Have you ever eaten sushi?
    B: Yes, I it in Tokyo last year. (eat)
  • 6
    A: Your eyes look red.
    B: I for hours. (study)
  • 7
    A: Why is Anna so happy?
    B: She the first prize. (win)
  • 8
    A: I love reading.
    B: How many books this year? (you / read)
Exercise E — Mini Conversations: Choose the Tense

Click the tense that completes speaker B’s answer.

  • 1
    A: Where did you get that bag?
    B: I it in Paris two years ago. (buy)
    ✓ Correct — “Two years ago” says when, so use the Past Simple.
  • 2
    A: Why is she so tired?
    B: She all night. (work)
    ✓ Correct — She is tired now. It was a long activity, so use the Present Perfect Continuous.
  • 3
    A: Are you hungry?
    B: No, I lunch. (just / eat)
    ✓ Correct — “Just” means a very short time ago. Use the Present Perfect.
  • 4
    A: Is Tom here?
    B: No, he an hour ago. (leave)
    ✓ Correct — “An hour ago” says when, so use the Past Simple.
  • 5
    A: Do you like your new house?
    B: I don’t know. We here for only a week. (be)
    ✓ Correct — “Be” is a state verb. Use the Present Perfect: “have been.”
  • 6
    A: Your hair is wet.
    B: Yes, it all afternoon. (rain)
    ✓ Correct — The rain is a long activity, and you can see the result.
  • 7
    A: Have you seen the new teacher?
    B: Yes. I her yesterday. (meet)
    ✓ Correct — “Yesterday” says when, so use the Past Simple.
  • 8
    A: Is your sister famous?
    B: Yes. She three movies this year. (make)
    ✓ Correct — “This year” is a time not finished, and the number can grow.
7 Choose the Right Sentence
Apply What You Know

Read each question. Choose the sentence that matches.

Question 1 of 8
Select the correct sentence.
Question 2 of 8
Select the sentence about a long activity that just stopped. You can see the result now.
Question 3 of 8
Select the correct question.
Question 4 of 8
Select the correct sentence.
Question 5 of 8
Select the sentence that is incorrect.
Question 6 of 8
Select the correct sentence.
Question 7 of 8
Someone asks, “Have you ever been to Italy?” Select the best answer.
Question 8 of 8
Select the correct sentence.
8 Summary
Level 2 Review: Choose the Tense Make two choices. Past or now? Then A, C, or D: say when (Past Simple), a result or number (Present Perfect), how long (Present Perfect Continuous).
  • You say when (yesterday, in 2019, two days ago, a WHEN question) → Past Simple.
  • A long activity, still happening or just stopped → Present Perfect Continuous.
  • Everything else (experience, result now, time not finished, total, yet, already, just) → Present Perfect.
  • State verbs (know, own, need, love, want) do not use -ing.
  • How many? → Present Perfect. How long? → Present Perfect Continuous.
  • Two steps: ask with the Present Perfect, give details with the Past Simple.
← Previous lesson With WHEN Next Past Perfect: One Action Before Another →