Present perfect or simple past

Question

Which of the following is correct?

It has been two hours since I have left LA.

It has been two hours since I left LA.

I know everyone will pick 2 but why one is 1 is not correct as we use present perfect for past events which are relevant to present moment.

They are both correct. The only reason the second one is more common is because adding have is redundant. — Jason Bassford, Commented Jun 10, 2019 at 16:12
Certainly not everyone. And you'd have to define what you mean by wrong. ;) — Jason Bassford, Commented Jun 10, 2019 at 19:00

Antonio D. · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-16 11:52:34Z

0

It has been two hours since I left LA.

This is the correct one. Because your leaving is not relevant to the present time. You left LA. The action is finished.

It has been two hours because still you are living in this period of time. Even though after 3 years passed you should use:

It has been 3 years since I left LA.

answered Sep 16, 2019 at 11:52

Antonio D.

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Mohammad Farukh Ahmad · Accepted Answer · 2022-10-30 14:56:03Z

It has been two hours since I have left LA.

It has been two hours since I left LA.

Both are correct. We can use the simple past or the present perfect after since depending on the meaning.

I left LA- simple past tense

I have left LA- present perfect tense

The simple past talks about the past. It does not tell us about the present.

The present perfect talks about the past and the present.

I left LA. (It refers to a point in the past, a time which is finished)

I have left LA. (It refers to a time leading up to the present, a time that continues from the past until now)

2 Answers 2