For & Since for Time
We often use for and since when talking
about time.
for + period
A period is a duration of time, for example: 5 minutes,
2 weeks, 6 years. For means "from the beginning
of the period until the end of the period."
For can be used with all tenses.
since + point
A point is a precise moment in time, for example:
9 o'clock, 1st January, Monday. Since means "from
a point in the past until now." Since
is normally used with perfect tenses.
for
a
period
(from start to end)
>===< |
since
a
point
(up to now)
·===>| |
for 20 minutes
for three days
for 6 months
for 4 years
for 2 centuries
for a long time
for ever
etc |
since 9am
since Monday
since January
since 1997
since 1500
since I left school
since the beginning of time
etc |
| all
tenses |
perfect
tenses only |
For can be used with all tenses. Here
are a few examples:
- They study for two hours every day.
- They are studying for three hours today.
- He has lived in Bangkok for a long time.
- He has been living in Paris for three months.
- I worked at that bank for five years.
- Will the universe continue for ever?
For is NOT used with "all day", "all the time"
etc.
- I was there all day. (not *for
all day)
Since is normally used with perfect
tenses:
- He has been here since 9am.
- He has been working since he arrived.
- I had lived in New York since my childhood.
Since can also be used in the structure "It
is [period] since...":
- It is a year since I saw her.
- How long is it since you got married?
 |
Both for and since
also have different meanings, with no
reference to time. Here are some examples:
- This is for you.
- Is this the train
for London?
- Since you ask,
I'll say yes.
- Since he didn't
study he didn't pass the exam.
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Now check your understanding >>
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