tyro  +  340040 Fri, 16 Mar 07 06:22 PM Please tell me which of the following sentences is correct in describing the activity, which I have started in the past and continued until today. My research over the past two years has focused on ... [or] My research over the past two years focused on... [or] My research over the past two years has been focused on... Thank you, Tyro tyro Joined on Tue, Feb 8 2005 New Member 21 Simple Past, Present Perfect

	Goodman  +  340043 Fri, 16 Mar 07 06:26 PM  Tyro wrote: Please tell me which of the following sentences is correct in describing the activity, which I have started in the past and continued until today. [or] My research over the past two years focused on... [or] My research over the past two years has been focused on... Thank you, Tyro My research over the past two years has focused on ... Goodman Joined on Mon, Nov 7 2005 Senior Member 3,816 The name says it all! Simple Past, Present Perfect

	Old Man Gordon  +  340051 Fri, 16 Mar 07 07:15 PM I agree with Goodman, but only if your research is continuing in the present.  If your research has finished, I would choose the middle option 'focused on'. Old Man Gordon Joined on Fri, Mar 16 2007 Full Member 410 Simple Past, Present Perfect

	Goodman  +  340056 Fri, 16 Mar 07 07:29 PM Right on! When we used phrases like, “since x and Y”, “over the x # of years”, or “for Y duration of time”, you are implying that the action is up to the present. i.e. Mary and Jane have been friends for the past 5 years. I have worked for IBM all my life. If the action (work) terminated, I would simply say, “I worked for IBM before” or “I had worked for IBM for 5 years ” (before changing job to anothe rcompany). Goodman Simple Past, Present Perfect

	Teo  +  472148 Sun, 03 Feb 08 03:15 PM  Tyro wrote: My research over the past two years has focused on ... [or] My research over the past two years focused on... [or] My research over the past two years has been focused on... has been focusing Teo Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004 Taiwan Contributing Member 1,631 Thank you very much for your reply. Simple Past, Present Perfect