Present Perfect: For vs. Since (Dauer & Startpunkt)
Present Perfect für klare Zeitangaben und Verständnis.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'for' to measure the length of time and 'since' to pinpoint the exact moment something started.
- Use 'for' + a period of time (e.g., for 3 hours, for a decade).
- Use 'since' + a specific point in time (e.g., since 9:00, since Monday).
- Always use the Present Perfect (have/has + V3) to connect that past time to now.
Overview
Present Perfect. Aber die wahren die Stars der die Show sind zwei winzige die Wörter: for und since. Sie sagen uns, ob du einen Zeitabschnitt misst oder auf ein Kalenderdatum zeigst.for. Wenn du ein Fan dieser die Indie-Band bist, seit ihrem ersten viralen das TikTok, benutzt du since. Diese zu verwechseln ist, als würdest du deine die Schuhe an den falschen die Füßen tragen.fortlaufende die Saga-Zeitform.
wie lange deines das Lebens festzuhalten.Ich bin ein Gamerund
Ich bin ein Gamer, seit ich fünf war. Das eine ist eine Tatsache; das andere ist ein Vermächtnis.
How This Grammar Works
for als eine Stoppuhr und since als einen Kalender vor.formisst eine Dauer. Es ist für einen Zeitraum. Es sagt uns die die Gesamtmenge an die Minuten, die Stunden, die Tagen oder die Jahren.sincezeigt auf einen Startzeitpunkt. Es ist für einen spezifischen Moment in der die Vergangenheit, als die die Handlung begann.
I have been here for fifteen minutes.(Die die Stoppuhr-Gesamtsumme).
I have been here since 2:00 PM.(Der der Kalender/Uhr-Startpunkt).
for.fordrei die Tageforsechs die Monateforeine lange Zeit
since.sinceMontagsinceletztem das Weihnachtensinceich meinen den Abschluss gemacht habe
for austricksen, an den Zweck zu denken. Wir sagen nicht das ist für dich. Wir sagen
dies dauerte für eine Weile.
Present Perfect (have + past participle) benutzen. Sie mit dem dem einfachen Präsens zu benutzen, ist ein klassischer Hoppla-Moment, den wir später korrigieren.
Formation Pattern
have/has ist die die Butter, und das past participle ist die die leckere Füllung. Dann fügst du deine for oder since die Garnitur am dem Ende hinzu.
have (oder 've)
has (oder 's)
-ed hinzu (z.B. worked, played).
been, known, had).
for oder since:
for + [Zeitraum]
since + [Spezifischer Zeitpunkt]
Conjugation Table
| Form | Example | Translation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | |
| Positive | I have lived here for two years. | Ich wohne seit zwei {die | pl} Jahren hier. |
| Negative | She hasn't called since Friday. | Sie hat seit Freitag nicht angerufen. | |
| Question | Have you known him for long? | Kennst du ihn schon lange? | |
| Short Form | They've been married since 2010. | Sie sind seit 2010 verheiratet. |
Memory Trick
Denke an den den Buchstaben S in Since. S steht für Startpunkt (Starting Point).
Denke an den den Buchstaben O in fOr. O steht für eine PeriOde der die Zeit (wie ein Kreis der die Zeit).
Oder, merk dir einfach: For = Four (die Zahlen). Wenn du eine Zahl wie 4 die Stunden, 5 die Tage, 10 die Jahre siehst, benutze for!
When To Use It
statisch. Sie bewegen sich nicht wirklich. die Verben wie be, have (für den Besitz), know und like.- "I've known my best friend since kindergarten."
- "She's been a vegetarian for six months."
- "He's worked at Google since last year."
- "I've played guitar for ages."
- "I haven't posted on Instagram since my vacation."
- "We've been in this WhatsApp group for three years."
- "I've had this Uber account since 2015."
Real Conversations
Konversation A (Auf einer Party)
Sam
Alex
Sam
since I finished or for five years?Alex
Konversation B (Beim Warten auf das Essen)
Taylor
Jordan
Taylor
Common Mistakes
- 1Die
Present Simple-Falle
I am here since Monday.
I have been here since Monday.
since benutzt, *musst* du das Present Perfect benutzen. Wenn du sagst I am here since Monday, wird dich ein Englischsprecher verstehen, aber sein das Gehirn wird jucken.
- 1Der
For + Datum-Fehler
Dauer von Januar haben, es sei denn, du meinst den ganzen den Monat, in welchem dem Fall du for one month sagen würdest.- 1Der
Since + Dauer-Fehler
zwei Jahre auf einem Kalender zeigen. Du kannst auf 2022 zeigen, aber nicht auf die die Dauer selbst.- 1
Agomit Since benutzen
ago hinzuzufügen verwandelt es in eine beendete vergangene die Zeit. Halte es einfach.Contrast With Similar Patterns
I lived in Paris for two years.
(Ich wohne dort nicht mehr. Es ist eine Erinnerung.)I was a student in 2015.
(Ich bin jetzt ein berufstätiger Erwachsener.)
I have lived in Paris for two years.
(Ich bin gerade jetzt in Paris, esse wahrscheinlich ein Croissant.)I have been a student since 2021.
(Ich habe immer noch die Prüfungen und kein kein Geld.)
for mit beiden benutzt werden kann! Aber die die Bedeutung ändert sich. Mit Past Simple sagt dir for, wie lange ein *beendetes* Ereignis dauerte.Since ist jedoch fast ausschließlich ein Freund des Present Perfect.Quick FAQ
Kann ich for mit der der Zukunft benutzen?
Ja!
I am going to stay in London for a week.Aber das ist eine andere Grammatikregel. Fürs Erste, konzentriere dich auf die
Vergangenheit-bis-jetzt-Verbindung.
Heißt es
for a long timeoder
since a long time?
Immer
for a long time.Du kannst nicht auf
eine lange Zeit auf einem Kalender zeigen.
Kann ich since always sagen?
Es ist üblich in der der Umgangssprache ("I've loved pizza since always
), aber technisch gesehen istalways
kein ein Zeitpunkt. Es ist besser zu sagen:I've always loved pizza."
Was ist mit all day?
Wir benutzen for nicht mit all. Sag einfach "I've been working all day." Kein for nötig! Es hinzuzufügen lässt dich klingen wie einen Roboter aus einem Sci-Fi-Film der 1970er.
Kann since von einem Satz gefolgt werden?
Ja! "I've been happy since I met you. Das Dich-Treffen" ist der der Startpunkt.
Progressive Practice
Identifiziere, ob das das Zeitwort ein Punkt (8:00, Montag) oder eine Periode (2 Stunden, 3 Wochen) ist.
Übe zu sagen, wie lange du dein aktuelles das Handy schon hast, indem du for benutzt.
Übe zu sagen, wann du angefangen hast, Englisch zu lernen, indem du since benutzt.
Versuche, einen Fehler in einer Social-Media-Bildunterschrift zu finden (sie sind überall!).
Present Perfect + For/Since Structure
| Subject | Auxiliary | Past Participle | Time Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I / You / We / They
|
have
|
lived here
|
for 5 years
|
|
He / She / It
|
has
|
worked here
|
since January
|
|
I / You / We / They
|
haven't
|
seen him
|
for a week
|
|
He / She / It
|
hasn't
|
called
|
since Tuesday
|
|
Have
|
you
|
been here
|
for long?
|
|
Has
|
she
|
known him
|
since school?
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
I have
|
I've
|
I've been here for an hour.
|
|
You have
|
You've
|
You've known her since 2010.
|
|
He has
|
He's
|
He's worked here for a month.
|
|
She has
|
She's
|
She's been sick since Friday.
|
|
It has
|
It's
|
It's been raining for days.
|
|
We have
|
We've
|
We've lived here since June.
|
|
They have
|
They've
|
They've waited for ages.
|
Meanings
In English, the Present Perfect is used to describe actions that began in the past and continue into the present. 'For' and 'since' are the specific tools we use to tell the listener exactly how long that action has been happening.
Duration (For)
Measuring the total length of time from the start until now.
“She has been a doctor for 20 years.”
“We have waited for ages.”
Starting Point (Since)
Identifying the specific date, time, or event when the action began.
“I have known him since kindergarten.”
“It hasn't rained since last Tuesday.”
Negative Duration
Expressing how long it has been since an event last occurred.
“I haven't eaten for six hours.”
“She hasn't called since her birthday.”
Reference Table
| Präposition | Funktion | Gefolgt von | Beispiel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
for
|
Dauer (wie lange?)
|
Zeitspanne
|
I have lived here for 5 years.
|
|
since
|
Startpunkt (wann begann es?)
|
Zeitpunkt
|
She has studied since 2020.
|
|
for
|
Länge einer Handlung
|
Zeitraum
|
We've been waiting for an hour.
|
|
since
|
Beginn einer Handlung
|
Spezifisches Ereignis oder Datum
|
He hasn't called since Monday.
|
|
for
|
Gesamte verbrachte Zeit
|
Zahl + Zeiteinheit
|
They have worked on it for weeks.
|
|
since
|
Von diesem Moment bis jetzt
|
Vergangenheits-Nebensatz / Jahr
|
I've known him since we were kids.
|
Formalitätsspektrum
I have been a resident of this city for over a decade. (residency)
I've lived here for ten years. (residency)
I've been here for ages. (residency)
I've been repping this city since forever. (residency)
Present Perfect: For vs. Since
Verwendung von FOR (Dauer)
- How long? Fokus auf die Zeitspanne
- Period of time z.B. 'three years', 'a long time'
- Ongoing Handlung geschieht noch
- Counting Messen der Zeitdauer
Verwendung von SINCE (Startpunkt)
- When did it start? Fokus auf den Anfangsmoment
- Point in time z.B. '2020', 'last Tuesday'
- Until now Von diesem Punkt bis in die Gegenwart
- Marking Den Start auf einer Zeitachse festlegen
Häufige Kontexte
- Experience Wie lange man eine Erfahrung gemacht hat
- Situations Andauernde Zustände oder Jobs
- Questions Oft mit 'How long...?'
- News Berichterstattung über Dauer von Ereignissen
For vs. Since: Gegenüberstellung
For oder Since wählen mit Present Perfect
Geht es im Satz um eine Handlung oder einen Zustand, die/der in der Vergangenheit begann und immer noch andauert oder relevant ist?
Sprichst du über eine ZEITSPANNE (z.B. zwei Stunden, fünf Tage, ein Jahrzehnt)?
Sprichst du über einen SPEZIFISCHEN STARTMOMENT (z.B. 2020, letzten Montag, ich war ein Kind)?
Zeitangaben mit For & Since
Mit FOR
- • two hours
- • a week
- • six months
- • many years
- • a long time
- • ages
Mit SINCE
- • 2020
- • last Monday
- • I was born
- • the accident
- • this morning
- • he left
Beispiele nach Niveau
I have been here for two hours.
She has been happy since Monday.
We have had this car for a week.
He has been a student since 2023.
They have lived in this house for ten years.
I haven't seen him since last night.
Has it rained since Friday?
She has worked at the bank for six months.
I've known my best friend since we were in primary school.
He hasn't eaten meat for a very long time.
We've been waiting for the bus for over forty minutes.
How long has she been interested in photography?
The company has been expanding its reach since the new CEO took over.
I've been meaning to call you for ages, but I've been so busy.
Prices have been rising steadily since the beginning of the year.
He's been playing the piano for most of his life.
Since the inception of the project, we have encountered numerous hurdles.
The policy has been in place for what seems like an eternity.
I haven't felt this energized since I was in my early twenties.
They have been living under a cloud of suspicion for several months now.
The landscape has undergone a radical transformation since the industrial era began.
For all the time I've spent researching, I've yet to find a definitive answer.
Since having been granted autonomy, the department has flourished.
The tradition has been upheld for generations, since time immemorial.
Leicht verwechselbar
Learners use Past Simple for ongoing actions or Present Perfect for finished ones.
Both relate to time, but 'during' is used with a noun to say *when* something happened, not *how long*.
Learners use 'from' to indicate a starting point with Present Perfect.
Häufige Fehler
I am here for two days.
I have been here for two days.
I have been here since two hours.
I have been here for two hours.
She has work here since 2010.
She has worked here since 2010.
I have lived here since a long time.
I have lived here for a long time.
I've been here since I was borned.
I've been here since I was born.
He has since Monday been sick.
He has been sick since Monday.
We have known us for years.
We have known each other for years.
I've been knowing him for years.
I've known him for years.
It's been a long time since I don't see him.
It's been a long time since I saw him.
I have lived here since five years ago.
I have lived here for five years.
Since two years, I have been working here.
For two years, I have been working here.
I have for many years sought the truth.
I have sought the truth for many years.
Satzmuster
I have been ___ for ___.
She has known ___ since ___.
It has been ___ since ___.
How long have you ___?
Real World Usage
I have worked in sales for over six years.
I've had this pain since yesterday morning.
I've lived in this neighborhood since I was a kid.
I've been waiting for a refund for two weeks.
Software engineer since 2015.
Married to my best friend since '18.
For vs. Since Mental Check
for) oder zeige ich auf einen genauen Zeitpunkt, wann etwas begann (since)? Das hilft fast immer! "I've been waiting for ages."Don't Mix Tenses!
Present Perfect oder Present Perfect Continuous. Vermeide sie mit dem Simple Past, wenn die Handlung noch läuft oder gerade wichtig ist. I have studied since yesterday.
Think of Your Bio!
Regional Nuances
Use with Questions
How long have you lived here?
Smart Tips
Try to see if you can put the word 'all' before the time. If you can say 'all my life', you can usually use 'for' (for my whole life). If you can't, it's likely 'since'.
Always put the verb after 'since' in the Past Simple.
Start your answer with 'For...' or 'Since...' to immediately give the listener the time context they need.
Use 'Since [Year]' to show your start date at a company. It looks professional and clear.
Aussprache
Contraction Stress
In 'I've been', the 've' is almost silent. The stress is on 'been'.
Since vs. Sins
The 'ce' in 'since' is a sharp 's' sound. Do not pronounce it like 'z'.
For reduction
In fast speech, 'for' often sounds like 'fer'.
Emphasis on Duration
I've been waiting for FIVE hours!
Conveys frustration or surprise at the length of time.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
FOR is for the 'Four' (length) of the journey; SINCE is for the 'Start' of the story.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine 'FOR' as a ruler measuring a piece of string (the duration). Imagine 'SINCE' as a push-pin on a calendar (the starting point).
Rhyme
For is the length, Since is the start; keep them together, don't pull them apart!
Story
I have been a traveler for ten years. I have been in this city since Tuesday. I have had this map for a long time, ever since I left home.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Look at your watch. Write one sentence with 'for' and one with 'since' about how long you have been studying today.
Kulturelle Hinweise
BrE speakers are very strict about using Present Perfect with 'just', 'already', and 'yet' alongside 'for/since'.
AmE speakers sometimes use the Past Simple with 'for' even if the action is ongoing, though Present Perfect is still preferred in writing.
Using 'since [Year]' is a standard way for companies to show heritage and reliability on logos.
The Present Perfect developed in Germanic languages to express a state resulting from a past action. 'For' comes from Old English meaning 'because of' or 'intended for', while 'since' comes from 'siththan' (after that).
Gesprächseinstiege
How long have you lived in your current house?
What is a hobby you've had since you were a child?
How long have you been studying English, and what has been the hardest part?
Since the pandemic started, how has your daily routine changed?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
I haven't visited my grandparents ___ Christmas.
Christmas ist ein spezifischer Zeitpunkt, daher ist since die richtige Wahl.Find and fix the mistake:
They have been living here since five years.
Five years gibt eine Dauer an, keinen Startpunkt, daher wird for anstelle von since benötigt.Choose the correct sentence:
8 AM ist ein spezifischer Startpunkt, der since erfordert. Das Present Perfect wird ebenfalls korrekt verwendet.Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
(Present Perfect Continuous) undfor two hours" (Dauer).
Score: /4
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesI have been a teacher ___ 2010.
They have lived in Paris ___ three months.
Find and fix the mistake:
I am knowing him for five years.
I moved here in January. (I have lived...)
1. ___ a long time / 2. ___ I was young / 3. ___ ten o'clock
A: How long have you had that cold? B: ___
Select the grammatically perfect sentence.
We use 'since' with a period of time like 'six weeks'.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMy phone hasn't stopped ringing ___ I posted that viral video.
I haven't eaten a decent meal for last week.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Llevo estudiando español desde hace un año.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrases with `for` or `since`:
How long have you been waiting ___ the bus?
The store is closed since three days.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'No he hablado con ella desde que se mudó.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the expressions with `for` or `since`:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, but it means the action is finished. `I lived there for two years` means you don't live there now. `I have lived there for two years` means you still live there.
It is always `for two years`. You use `since` only for a specific date or time, like `since 2022`.
Yes! You can say `since I was a child` or `since I started my job`. The verb in the 'since' clause is usually in the Past Simple.
Use `for` to say how long (for 2 hours). Use `during` to say when something happened (during the movie).
No, that is incorrect. You should say `for a long time` because it is a duration.
Because `be` is a stative verb. We use it to describe states (like being a student or being in a city) that started in the past and continue now.
Generally, no. In English, we use the Present Perfect to show that an action started in the past and continues now.
It is very common in informal, spoken English, but in formal writing, you should use a specific time or `for a very long time`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
desde / hace
English requires the Present Perfect, not the Present Simple.
depuis
English distinguishes between 'for' and 'since' and requires a different verb tense.
seit
English uses two different words (for/since) and the Present Perfect.
kara / aida
Japanese doesn't have a direct 'Present Perfect' equivalent in the same way English does.
mundhu (منذ)
English requires a specific choice between two prepositions.
le (了) / yijing (已经)
Chinese has no verb conjugation for tense, making the 'have + V3' structure very difficult for learners.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Verwandte Videos
09:35 Ancient Life as Old as the Universe
04:31 Supreme Court BANS Faithless Electors…………?
08:05 Is This The Biggest Mistake Science Ever Made?
Learn English Tenses: The Present Perfect
Learn English with Bob the Canadian
Master All 4 Present Tenses in 10 Min | English Grammar Lesson | Best Way To Learn English Tenses
Learn English | Let's Talk - Free English Lessons
Related Grammar Rules
Present Perfect: USA vs. UK (I've done vs. I did)
Overview Hast du dich jemals gefragt, ob dein Englisch-Lehrbuch dich belügt? In der Schule lernst du eine Regel, und da...
Phrasal Verbs: An Introduction (Turn On, Give Up, Look After)
## Phrasal Verbs: An Introduction A **phrasal verb** = verb + particle (up, on, off, out, in, away...) The combination...
Lebenserfahrungen: Present Perfect mit Ever und Never
### Übersicht Das Present Perfect mit `ever` und `never` ist ein Eckpfeiler für die Diskussion persönlicher Erfahrungen....
Future Continuous (will be -ing)
Stell dir vor, du hast gerade eine Instagram-Story über deine bevorstehende Reise nach Tokio gepostet. Ein Freund schrei...
Englisches Present Perfect: Vergangenheit mit Gegenwart verbinden (Grundlagen)
Overview Bist du schon mal in {einen|m} Raum gelaufen und hast komplett vergessen, warum du dorthin gegangen bist? Das k...
