For or Since Quiz
For and 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)
x===>|for 20 minutes
for three days
for 6 months
for 4 years
for 2 centuries
for a long time
for ever
etcsince 9am
since Monday
since January
since 1997
since 1500
since I left school
since the beginning of time
etc
all tensesperfect tenses only
For can be used with
all tenses. Here are a few examples:
Both
for and
since also have other 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.
- 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?
Now check your understanding »
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