Have been / was

[Simo Ita]

Hi there,

Which verb tense should be used in this sentence? Why?

During my life I have had many different jobs and in some of them I have been / was in direct contact with people.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Newt]

I don't think there's a "wrong" answer but since you started with "I have had" it probably makes sense to say "I have been..."

 

[Simo Ita]

I don't think there's a "wrong" answer but since you started with "I have had" it probably makes sense to say "I have been..."

Thanks The Newt.

Would you stick with the Present Perfect even though you mention the jobs after the full stop?

... contact with people. That was the case when I worked as...

Thanks!

 

[The Newt]

Thanks The Newt.

Would you stick with the Present Perfect even though you mention the jobs after the full stop?

... contact with people. That was the case when I worked as...

Thanks!

No, then you should use the simple past. You're referring to a specific situation that doesn't continue into the present.

 

[dojibear]

I don't think there's a "wrong" answer

In this sentence, I would choose based on grammar and logic.

During my life I have had many different jobs and in some of them I [have been/was] in direct contact with people.

The and combines two complete sentences (independent clauses). Each has a verb. Each verb has a meaning. So we need to evaluate the verb in the second clause. What does it mean? I perform the same evaluation with and or with a period.

In some of them I [have been/was] in direct contact with people.

Here "them" means "these jobs".

Did all of these jobs end before now? If so, then "was" is correct.
Is at least one of these jobs still happening? If so, then "have been" is correct.