I worked or I have worked? Keep the timeline clear

Decide whether the situation continues

“I worked there for six months” presents a finished period of employment. “I have worked here for six months” normally means the employment began six months ago and continues now.

Both can be correct. Before accepting a tense change, check what you want the reader to understand about your current situation.

Give the checker the timeline

Compare two short descriptions:

I worked in Osaka for six months. Then I moved to Tokyo.

The second sentence makes the finished period clear.

I have worked in Osaka for six months. I still enjoy the job.

Here, the writer describes employment continuing into the present. “I have been working in Osaka for six months” is also natural.

If you provide only “I work here since 2022,” a checker may suggest “I have worked here since 2022.” That fits someone who still works there. If you left, supply the end date too: “I worked there from 2022 to 2025.”

A time expression is a clue, not the whole decision

Since gives a starting point: “I have lived here since March.” For gives a duration: “I have lived here for six months.” But for also works with a finished period: “I lived there for six months.” It does not select the tense on its own.

A specific finished time usually calls for past simple. Write “I sent the email yesterday.” Without that finished-time expression, “I have sent the email” can tell the reader that the task is now complete.

When reviewing a correction, ask whether it changes an ongoing situation into a finished one, or introduces a connection to now that you did not intend. Include the next sentence if it supplies the missing context.