Many English learners understand the structure of the present perfect, yet still make mistakes when talking about states and conditions. One of the most frequent problems appears when learners use the verb to be in the simple present, even though the situation clearly started in the past and continues now.

This article explains why English uses “have been” in these cases, how meaning changes when the wrong tense is used, and how to avoid one of the most persistent present perfect errors.

This explanation builds directly on the core logic explained in Present Perfect Explained: When English Connects the Past to the Present

What Are States and Conditions in English?

States and conditions describe situations that are not actions, but situations that exist over time.

Common examples include:

• being married
• being single
• being tired
• being sick
• being unemployed
• being interested in something

These situations often begin in the past and remain true in the present, which is exactly why English uses the present perfect.

The Most Common Mistake with States

Learners often say:

I am married for ten years.

Although this sentence sounds logical when translated directly, it is incorrect in English.

The correct sentence is:

I have been married for ten years.

English does not use the simple present to express how long a state has existed. Instead, it uses have been to connect the past beginning to the present reality.

Why English Uses “Have Been” in These Situations

When you say:

I have been married for ten years,

you are communicating three ideas at the same time:

• the state started in the past
• the state is still true now
• the duration matters

The verb have been functions as a bridge between past and present.

This same logic applies to many everyday situations.

Examples:

She has been single for a long time.
They have been friends since childhood.
I have been tired all day.

In all these cases, the state did not begin now. It has a history that continues into the present.

Comparing the Wrong and the Natural Version

Compare these two sentences:

I am unemployed for six months.
This sounds unnatural in English.

I have been unemployed for six months.
This sounds natural and accurate.

The difference is not grammar complexity. It is how English connects time to meaning.

This same connection explains other present perfect uses and is part of the wider system described in Present Perfect Explained: When English Connects the Past to the Present

Have Been with Since and For

Very often, have been appears together with since and for.

Examples:

I have been married for ten years.
She has been sick since Monday.
They have been interested in English for a long time.

Here, have been expresses the state, while since and for explain time.

If you want a focused explanation of how these time expressions work, see Since vs For: How English Expresses Time Clearly

Have Been vs Simple Present in Meaning

The simple present describes facts or routines, not duration from the past.

Compare:

I am married.
This describes a current fact.

I have been married for ten years.
This describes how long the state has existed.

Both sentences are correct, but they answer different questions.

Understanding this difference prevents learners from overusing the simple present when duration is involved.

A Common Confusion with Have Been and Have Gone

At this point, many learners confuse have been with have gone.

For example:

I have been in Scotland for two weeks.
This means the person is probably still there.

I have gone to Scotland.
This means the person went there and is not here now.

These forms do not express states in the same way and should not be mixed.

For a detailed explanation of this contrast, see Have Been vs Have Gone: Meaning, Result, and Presence

More States Commonly Used with “Have Been”

Here are some very natural examples that learners often avoid but should use confidently:

I have been nervous about the interview.
She has been happy with her new job.
We have been ready for weeks.

These sentences sound natural because English treats emotions and conditions as states with duration.

One Question That Solves Most Doubts

When you are unsure whether to use have been, ask yourself:

Did this state start in the past and is it still true now?

If the answer is yes, have been is usually the correct choice.

Conclusion: Have Been Is the Natural Choice for States

The use of have been with states and conditions is not an exception. It is one of the most logical uses of the present perfect.

Once learners stop translating and start thinking in terms of time connection, sentences become clearer and more natural.

This topic is a key foundation for understanding the present perfect and prepares learners for related concepts such as since, for, have gone, and tense comparison. To see how all these ideas fit together, return to Present Perfect Explained: When English Connects the Past to the Present

All content on Wilford Fluency is written and maintained by Márcio Wilford, an English teacher with over 10 years of experience. This article is provided for educational purposes only