Using since and for

The words since and for are often confused. They have very similar meanings.

Since is used to indicate the starting point of an action or situation.

It has been raining since yesterday.
I have been waiting here since morning.
He has been absent since Monday.
I have been preparing for the test since March.

For shows duration. Study the examples given below.

It has been raining for two hours.
I have been waiting for hours.
The baby has been sleeping for three hours.
We have been living in Mumbai for six years.

Notes

Both since and for are mainly used with perfect or perfect continuous tenses.

Incorrect: It is raining for two hours.
Correct: It has been raining for two hours.

Incorrect: He is absent since Monday.
Correct: He has been absent since Monday.

The present perfect and the present perfect continuous tense are both possible in some cases. Study the examples given below. They both express the same idea.

We have lived in this city for fifteen years. (= We still live in this city.)
We have been living in this city for fifteen years. (= We still live in this city.)

Exercise

Complete the following sentences using since or for.

1. We have known each other ……………. 1990.

2. We have known each other ……………… twenty-five years.

3. I haven’t seen them …………….. Diwali.

4. We have been good friends …………….. school days.

5. I have been feeling much better …………….. my operation.

6. He has been working here …………. a long time.

Answers

1. We have known each other since 1990.

2. We have known each other for twenty-five years.

3. I haven’t seen them since Diwali.

4. We have been good friends since school days.

5. I have been feeling much better since my operation.

6. He has been working here for a long time.

Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I'm Manjusha. This is my blog where I give IELTS preparation tips.

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