Master the difference between for and since in Present Perfect sentences. For describes a period of time; since marks the starting point. 40 multiple-choice questions covering both prepositions, How long questions, and mixed forms.
Set:
Exercise 1: for or since?
Choose for or since to complete each sentence. Remember: for + period of time (three years, ages, a week); since + point in time (2019, Monday, I was a child).
Set:
1
I have lived here ___ 2015.
2
She has worked at this company ___ three years.
3
He hasn't called me ___ last Tuesday.
4
We have known each other ___ a long time.
5
They have been married ___ June.
6
I haven't eaten anything ___ this morning.
7
She has been learning English ___ six months.
8
The shop has been closed ___ ages.
9
I have been a teacher ___ I graduated.
10
He has worked nights ___ two weeks.
for: a period of time
have/haspast participleforperiod of time
Use for to say how long something has lasted. It is followed by a length of time.
I have lived here for three years.
She has worked here for a long time.
They haven't spoken for ages.
since: a starting point
have/haspast participlesincepoint in time
Use since to show when something started. It is followed by a point in time or a clause.
I have lived here since 2019.
She has worked here since Monday.
They haven't spoken since the argument.
How long…?
How longhave / hassubjectpast participle?
A: "How long have you lived here?" B: "For two years." / "Since 2022."
A: "How long has she been a teacher?" B: "For ten years." / "Since she was 25."
for vs since: the contrast
for + period
since + point
for two days
since Tuesday
for a week
since last Monday
for three months
since March
for six years
since 2018
for ages
since childhood
for a long time
since I was young
Common mistake: Do NOT use since with a period of time, and do NOT use for with a point in time. I have lived here since three years ❌ → for three years ✅ I have lived here for 2020 ❌ → since 2020 ✅
Timeline
Example: “I have lived here since 2020 / for 4 years.”
2020 (since)
Now
← for 4 years →
The violet dot = starting point (since). The blue line = duration (for).