Since vs For at a glance
- since
/sɪns/ · preposition / conjunction
From a point in time in the past until now.
- I've lived in Manchester since 2019.
- She hasn't eaten anything since breakfast.
- for
/fɔː/ · preposition
Used to say how long something lasts, a period of time.
- I've lived in Manchester for six years.
- We waited for twenty minutes, then left.
How to remember it
Ask yourself: "When did it start?" Answer with since. "How long?" Answer with for.
Good to know
For an action that started in the past and continues now, both usually go with the present perfect: "I have been here since nine" / "I have been here for an hour", not "I am here since nine". For also works with other tenses: "I lived in Rome for two years."
Common mistakes
Wrong: I've worked here since five years.
Right: I've worked here for five years.
Wrong: I've known her for 2015.
Right: I've known her since 2015.
Wrong: I live here since March.
Right: I've lived here since March.
Quick quiz
1.They've been married 2010.
2.I've been waiting half an hour.
3.He hasn't called me last week.
Pick the right word for each gap.
Often confused too
- agovsbeforeUse ago to count back from now (two days ago) with the past simple. Use before to count back from another past time, or to mean 'at any time until now'.
- alreadyvsyetUse already in positive sentences for something that has happened (I've already eaten). Use yet in questions and negatives (Have you eaten yet? I haven't eaten yet).