My Neighborhood (J9A)
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EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. When paired with 'How long', it asks about the duration of this ongoing state.
How long have you known each other?
EN: In questions starting with interrogative phrases like 'How long', subject-auxiliary inversion is required. The auxiliary verb 'have' is placed before the subject 'you', while the main verb 'lived' remains after the subject.
How long have they worked here?
EN: In Western cultures, asking someone 'How long have you lived here?' is a very common and polite icebreaker. It is a safe, non-intrusive topic that often leads to friendly conversations about local recommendations, neighborhoods, and personal backgrounds.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense ('have/has' + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.
I have lived in Taipei since 2015.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used with a period of time (e.g., ten years, three hours) to show the duration of an action or state.
She has studied English for five years.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe a state that started in the past and continues to the present. With stative verbs like 'know', we use the simple present perfect rather than the continuous form.
I have known him for five years.
EN: 'Since' is used as a preposition or conjunction to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues to the present. It is followed by a specific point in time (e.g., a noun phrase like 'kindergarten' or a time clause).
She has lived here since 2010.
EN: In Western education systems, 'kindergarten' is typically the first official year of schooling (around age 5 or 6) before first grade. Saying you have known someone 'since kindergarten' implies a very deep, lifelong friendship that has stood the test of time.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense ('have/has + past participle') is used here to describe a state that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.
We have been friends since high school.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used with a duration of time (e.g., 'a long time', 'three years') to show how long a state or action has lasted.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. In this sentence, 'have learned' indicates that the learning process began in the past and is still ongoing.
I have lived in this city for ten years.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues to the present. It is followed by a specific point in time (e.g., 'age six', '2005', 'yesterday').
My family has run a shop since 2005.
EN: In Western countries, learning a musical instrument like the violin or piano from a young age (such as age six) is a common extracurricular activity. It is often associated with developing discipline, patience, and cognitive skills.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. 'Has run' indicates that the family started running the shop in the past and still runs it now.
She has lived in London for five years.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used with a specific point in time in the past (e.g., a year, a date, or an event) to show when an action or state began.
They have been married since 2018.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (has + past participle) is used here to describe an action or state that started in the past and continues to the present. The verb 'love' is a stative verb, which is commonly used in the simple present perfect rather than the continuous form to show duration.
Hana has lived in this city since 2015.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used with a period of time (e.g., 'many years', 'three days') to express the duration of an action or state in the present perfect tense.
We have been friends for almost ten years.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, discussing long-term hobbies like painting, playing an instrument, or sports is a common way to build rapport and share personal background during social conversations.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present. In this sentence, 'have painted' indicates that the speaker began painting in the past and still paints now.
I have lived in this city for ten years.
EN: The conjunction 'since' is used to introduce a specific starting point in the past. It can be followed by a specific time (e.g., since 2005) or a clause in the Simple Past Tense (e.g., since I was little).
We have been friends since we were in high school.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.
I have lived in this city for ten years.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues to the present. It is followed by a specific point in time (e.g., last season, 2005, childhood).
My family has run a shop since 2005.
EN: In sports culture, especially in football (soccer) or baseball, supporting a team 'since last season' or for many years is a common way to express loyalty. Fans often use the present perfect tense to emphasize their ongoing commitment to their favorite club.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here with 'not' to describe an action (or lack thereof) that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.
I have not eaten anything since this morning.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used to indicate a duration of time (a period of time), such as 'for two weeks', 'for five years', or 'for a long time'.
They have studied English for three years.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, saying 'I haven't seen you for...' is a very common, warm way to greet someone you haven't met in a while. It shows that you have noticed their absence and care about maintaining the connection.
EN: The present perfect tense ('have been') is used here to describe a state that started in the past and continues to the present. It is often paired with 'for' followed by a duration of time.
They have been married for five years.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used to indicate the duration of an action or state, while 'almost' is an adverb meaning 'nearly' or 'not quite,' used to modify the time period.
I have lived in this apartment for almost two years.
EN: The verb 'go' is used with adjectives like 'fast' to describe the passage of time. In this context, 'go' means to pass or elapse.
The weekend went so fast.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'when' introduces an adverbial clause of time ('when we are together'), which modifies the main clause 'Time goes fast' by specifying the condition or time under which the action occurs.
I feel happy when I am reading.
EN: The phrase 'Time flies when you're having fun' is a very common English idiom that shares a similar sentiment to this sentence, reflecting a universal human experience of time perception.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense ('have lived') is used here to describe a state or action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It is often paired with 'for' to indicate the duration of the action.
She has worked at this school for five years.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used to show the duration of an action or state, followed by a period of time (e.g., 'my whole life', 'ten years').
They have been married for thirty years.
EN: In many Western cultures, especially in suburban areas, staying in the exact same neighborhood for one's entire life is less common today due to high mobility for university and career opportunities. Expressing this often conveys a strong sense of deep community connection, local pride, and stability.
EN: The present perfect tense (has/have + past participle) is used here to describe a state that started in the past and continues up to the present. 'My family' is treated as a singular collective noun here, so it takes the singular auxiliary verb 'has'.
She has owned this car for five years.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues into the present, typically followed by a specific point in time (e.g., a year, a date, or a past event).
They have lived in London since 2018.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It is often paired with 'since' to specify the starting point in time.
I have lived in this city since 2015.
EN: The conjunction 'since' introduces a subordinate clause indicating the starting point of an action. When 'since' introduces a clause, the verb in that clause is typically in the Simple Past tense (e.g., 'was'), while the main clause uses the Present Perfect tense.
She has played the piano since she was a child.
EN: In many Western countries, it is common for children of family-owned small businesses (like local shops or farms) to help their parents. This is often seen as a way to learn responsibility, work ethic, and family bonding, rather than just labor.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe a state that started in the past and continues up to the present. With state verbs like 'know', we use the simple present perfect rather than the continuous form.
I have known him for five years.
EN: 'Since' is used as a preposition followed by a specific point in time in the past (e.g., 'kindergarten', '2010', 'yesterday') to indicate when an action or state began.
She has lived here since childhood.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, 'kindergarten' is the first official year of schooling (usually around age 5) before first grade. Friendships that last 'since kindergarten' are highly cherished as lifelong bonds.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. It is often paired with 'for' followed by a duration of time.
We have lived in this city for ten years.
EN: The preposition 'at' is used to indicate a specific location or institution where an activity (like studying) takes place, while 'same' is preceded by the definite article 'the' to show identity.
They work at the same office.
EN: In English-speaking countries, it is common for childhood friends to attend the same local public schools from elementary through high school, fostering deep, lifelong friendships. Mentioning 'the same schools' highlights a shared history and strong social bond.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. It is often paired with 'since' to indicate the starting point of the action.
I have lived in this city since 2015.
EN: 'Since' can be used as a conjunction followed by a clause in the Simple Past Tense (e.g., 'since I was very young') to mark the specific point in time when an action or state began.
He has played soccer since he was a child.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. 'Has guided' indicates that the guidance began in the past and is still ongoing.
She has worked at this school for five years.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues into the present. It is typically followed by a specific point in time (e.g., 'my first lesson', '2010', 'yesterday').
I have known Emma since kindergarten.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action or state that started in the past and continues to the present, or has a strong connection to the present. In this sentence, 'have made' indicates that the process of creating memories began in childhood and remains significant now.
I have lived in this city for ten years.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues up to the present. It is typically followed by a specific point in time (e.g., 'childhood', '2005', 'last week') and is commonly paired with the Present Perfect Tense.
My family has run a shop since 2005.
EN: The present perfect tense ('has been') is used here to describe a state that started in the past and continues to the present moment. It is often paired with time expressions indicating duration.
She has been a teacher for five years.
EN: The phrase 'as long as I remember' (or 'as long as I can remember') is an idiomatic expression meaning 'for my entire life' or 'since the beginning of my memory'.
We have been friends for as long as I remember.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, expressing a deep connection to a place as 'home' for one's entire life conveys a strong sense of belonging, community, and stability, which is highly valued in local neighborhoods.
EN: The present perfect tense ('have played') is used here with 'how long' to ask about the duration of an action that started in the past and continues into the present.
How long have you lived in this apartment?
EN: When playing musical instruments, the definite article 'the' is placed before the name of the instrument (e.g., 'play the violin', 'play the piano').
She has played the cello since she was ten.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is very common to append the listener's name (like 'Ryan') to the end of a question or statement to make the conversation feel more personal, friendly, and direct.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. It is often paired with 'for' to indicate the duration of the action.
I have lived in this city for ten years.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used to express a duration of time (e.g., 'for five years', 'for a long time'), whereas 'since' is used to indicate a specific starting point in the past (e.g., 'since 2005', 'since I was young').
She has studied English for three years.
EN: In English-speaking countries, learning a musical instrument (like the violin or piano) from a young age is a common extracurricular activity. When talking about hobbies or skills, using the present perfect tense with 'for' or 'since' is the standard way to show dedication and experience over time.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe a state that started in the past and continues up to the present. The verb 'want' is a stative verb, so it is used in the simple present perfect form rather than the continuous form to show ongoing desire.
I have wanted to visit Paris for years.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues to the present. It is followed by a specific point in time (e.g., a season, a year, or a specific event).
She has played the piano since 2018.
EN: In Western countries, learning a classical instrument like the cello or violin is a common extracurricular activity for youth. The transition of seasons, particularly 'spring', often symbolizes new beginnings, making it a common reference point for starting new hobbies or resolutions.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here with 'since' to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.
We have known each other since we were children.
EN: The conjunction 'since' introduces a subordinate clause in the simple past tense ('you were born') to mark the specific starting point in time of the main clause's action.
He has worked at this company since he graduated.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It is often accompanied by 'since' to specify the starting point.
I have lived in this apartment since 2018.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues into the present. It can be followed by a specific time, a noun phrase (like 'birth'), or a clause in the simple past tense.
She has been interested in music since childhood.
EN: Present Perfect Tense (Negative): Used to describe an action or state that started in the past and continues up to the present, or has not happened during a period up to now. The structure is 'Subject + have/has + not + past participle'.
I have not visited that museum since last year.
EN: Since + Specific Point in Time: The preposition 'since' is used with the present perfect tense to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues to the present.
My family has run a shop since 2005.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (has/have + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. It is often paired with 'since' to indicate the starting point of the action.
She has lived in Tokyo since 2018.
EN: The word 'abroad' is an adverb meaning 'in or to a foreign country'. Because it is an adverb, it does not require a preposition like 'in' or 'to' before it (e.g., 'work abroad', not 'work in abroad').
They plan to study abroad next year.
EN: Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment, emphasizing the duration of the action.
I have lived in this city for ten years.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used to indicate a duration of time (e.g., 'for many months', 'for two weeks'), showing how long an action or state has lasted.
We have been friends for almost ten years.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. It often co-occurs with 'since' to specify the starting point in time.
We have lived in this house since 2018.
EN: The preposition 'since' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues to the present. It is followed by a specific point in time (e.g., winter, last year, 9 AM).
I have been awake since sunrise.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, looking forward to a 'holiday' (or vacation) is a common topic of social conversation, especially during long work or school terms. Mentioning 'since winter' emphasizes how long and eagerly the speaker has anticipated this break.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action or state that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It is often paired with 'for' to indicate the duration of the action.
We have lived in this city for five years.
EN: The phrasal verb 'look forward to' means to feel excited about something that is going to happen. Note that 'to' is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (V-ing).
She is looking forward to the weekend.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen.
To manage or be in charge of a retail business.
For the entire duration of one's memory; since childhood.