Grammar › Verb Tenses › Since vs For
Since vs For
Use 'since' and 'for' to say how long, usually with the present perfect. Use:
- Since + a starting point — since 2020, since Monday, since I arrived.
- For + a period of time — for two hours, for ten years, for a long time.
Quick test: if it's a point in time, use 'since'; if it's a length of time, use 'for'.
How to choose
| Word | Goes with | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| since | a point in time (when it started) | since 9am, since 2019, since Monday, since I was a child |
| for | a length of time (how long) | for ten minutes, for three days, for years |
The quick test: can you replace it with a number of hours/days/years? Then it’s for. Does it name when something started? Then it’s since.
Since = starting point
- I’ve known her since 2015.
- He’s been ill since Monday.
- Everything has changed since we moved.
For = duration
- We’ve lived here for five years.
- I waited for an hour.
⚠️ Typical error:
I’ve lived here since five years.→ ‘Five years’ is a length of time, so use for: I’ve lived here for five years.
Common mistakes
1. Swapping them. for 2019 → since 2019, and since five years → for five years.
2. Using the wrong tense for a continuing situation. I live here for five years → I’ve lived here for five years. Pro tip: since/for + a situation continuing now needs the present perfect.
3. Using ‘since’ with a period. since three days → for three days (or since three days ago).
✏️ Practice: Since vs For
1. I've lived here ___ 2020.
2. We've been married ___ ten years.
3. She's been ill ___ Monday.
4. He waited ___ an hour and then left.
5. I've known them ___ I was a child.
6. Correct this: 'I've had this car since five years.'
7. They've been studying ___ two hours.
8. Nothing has changed ___ last summer.
9. Rewrite with the same meaning: 'I started this job in 2019 and I'm still here.'
10. We haven't seen each other ___ ages.
Frequently asked questions
What's the quickest way to choose?
If it's a point in time (Monday, 2020, lunchtime), use 'since'. If it's a length of time (two hours, ten years), use 'for'.
Which tense do they go with?
Usually the present perfect for situations continuing now: I've worked here since 2018 / for five years.
Can I use 'since' with a clause?
Yes: since I was a child, since we met. It marks the starting point.
Is 'for' ever dropped?
Sometimes in casual speech ('I've been here two hours'), but including 'for' is always correct.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Since vs For”:
- Can choose 'since' (starting point) or 'for' (duration) correctly (CEFR B1).
- Can use both with the present perfect for continuing situations.
- Can correct the typical swap between since and for.
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