Los últimos días

Question

'Estos últimos días ____ un calor terrible.' Would make me think they are in the past. today does not fit in them. or DOES it, becaus of 'Estos' ? because it talks about the last days (similar to 'last week' or 'yesterday') I presumed I had to use el indefinido (hizo), instead of the perfect (ha hecho).

Apparently I was wrong. So, please clarify, as the exact example is not identifiable in the lesson (to me at least), how I would be able to determine to use the indefinido. IS it because of 'Estos' ?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Hola Robert,
if you scroll down you will see in this thread an answer given to Llias asking about the same time phrase and use of tense.
When we use "En los últimos días/meses/años..." or "Estos últimos días/meses/años..." we think of it as something still connected to the present, as if today, this month or this current year was still part of it; this is why we'd use the perfect tense and not the past simple. The word "este, estos..." will reinforce that inclusion making you think about the present time.

Estos últimos meses han sido los más felices de mi vida.
Esta semana he tenido mucho trabajo.
María ha estado muy rara los últimos días.

Saludos
Inma