What's the correct tense?

Question

Two years ago I stopped working as a teacher.
How can I express that correctly?

a) "For two years I haven't been working as a teacher any more."
b) "For two years I haven't worked ... any more."
c) "Since two years I don't work ... any more."
d) "Since two years I didn't work... any more."

Other suggestions? Thanks!

Bvpraveen · Accepted Answer

Dear Nick,

I will add another option :

e) Since two years I haven't been working as a teacher.

Maverick88 · Answer

Since 2 years what? Since two years before you had been born?
I think you want 'since 2 years ago' here, or 'for two years'.

Nick Cooper · Answer

Hi, maverick!

I'd like a sentence including "not any more".
So what would you say? - "Since 2 years ago/for two years I haven't been working ... any more"?

Maverick88 · Answer

I'd say 'I haven't been working for 2 years' but I suggest that you wait for some more replies.

Abbie1948 · Answer

A. You can use the simple present perfect here: "I haven't worked as a teacher for 2 years."

This is used (amongst other uses) when we are talking about something which happened in the past, but is somehow connected to the present.

So, 2 years ago (past) you stopped working as a teacher, and you are still not doing it (present.)

B. You can also use the present perfect progressive, as you have done in b) above, but the word order needs to be changed:

"I haven't been working as a teacher for 2 years" Again, it is used to express something which started in the past, and is still going on.

C. "I don't work as a teacher any more" This is simple present, and refers to your current status (i.e. not working as a teacher.) You do not use a time reference here, ("for 2 years") because you are talking about the present situation - NOW. (If you are thinking of returning to work as a teacher, I wouldn't use this one, as it implies a sort of finality.)

D. The simple past ("I didn't") is frequently used to express many kinds of past events, and the construct here would be:

"I didn't work as a teacher for 2 years". You do not include "any more".

It all depends upon the context in which you want to use the expression. e.g., if you were applying for a job as a teacher, it would be better to use A and perhaps give a reason (if necessary). If it is a formal written communication, I would use "have not" rather than the contracted form "haven't"

Nick Cooper · Answer

Thank you, Abbie!

So there's more than one possible solution - that's what I wanted to know.
Thanks for your help...

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