verbs - When to use "has lived" vs. "lived" vs. "had lived"



Jim has lived there.


Jim lived there.


Jim had lived there.



Are there any differences?
When do I use one or the other?
I'm trying to teach this to a foreign person and am having a hard time.



Answer




  • Jim has lived there is present perfect. This describes a past action or event with present consequences

  • Jim lived there is simple past or preterite. This describes an action or event which took place in the past

  • Jim had lived there is past perfect or pluperfect. This describes an action or event which took place before another past action or event.

  • Jim was living there is past continuous or imperfect. This describes an action or event over a period of time, or coincident with or interrupted by another.

  • Jim had been living there is past perfect continuous. This describes an action or event over a period of time which took place before another past action or event.


So you might have something like the following (true) statements.



Jim was living in South Africa when his fourth child was born.


Jim had been living in Pakistan before he moved to the United States.


Jim lived in Malaysia for three years in the 1960s.


Jim did not live in France, but he did live in Switzerland near the French border.


Jim has lived in England since his retirement and does not want to move house ever again.



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