I lived vs. I have lived (simple past vs. present perfect)

[Michely]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #94 "While, during and for", question 3

I lived in Denpasar ......... several years.

(a) while
(b) during
(c) for

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #94 "While, during and for", answer 3

I lived in Denpasar for several years.

Correct answer: (c) for

Your answer was: correct
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My question is not about for, during and while. Why you used Past Indefinite instead of Present Perfect — we do not have "last week" or "yesterday" in the sentence but we have "for".

[Mister Micawber]

.
For represents duration, but it need not be duration up to the present time; it can occur solely in the past:

I lived in Los Angeles for three years [before I moved to Yokohama].

I have lived in Yokohama for fifteen years.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber