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
for と since という2つの前置詞です。for と since を使って「期間」と「起点」を完璧に使い分ける方法を解説します。これをマスターすれば、あなたの英語はぐっと自然で、説得力のあるものに変わるはずです。for と since の役割を理解するために、まずは日本語の感覚と比較してみましょう。I work here for three years. とは言えません。なぜなら、for や since を使って「過去から続く期間」を表す場合、英語では動詞を「現在完了形（have + 過去分詞）」にするという厳格なルールがあるからです。for と since の決定的な違いは何でしょうか？for= 期間の「長さ」を測る（How long?）
for は、ある状態が続いてきた「時間の幅」を表します。数直線上で言えば、ある点からある点までの「距離」を測るイメージです。日本語の「〜の間」に相当します。for two hours（2時間の間）for five years（5年間）for a long time（長い間）
since= 期間の「起点」を指す（When did it start?）
since は、その状態が始まった「特定の過去の時点」を指し示します。数直線上で言えば、スタート地点に「ピンを刺す」イメージです。日本語の「〜以来」「〜から」に相当します。since 2010（2010年から）since Monday（月曜日から）since I was a child（子供の頃から）
for | since |for 10 minutes, for ages | since 9:00, since last night |for と since を使う際の基本構造は以下の通りです。主語によって have と has を使い分ける点、そして動詞を「過去分詞」にする点に注意しましょう。- 主語 +
have/has+ 過去分詞 +for+ 期間の長さ I have lived in Tokyo for ten years.
- 主語 +
have/has+ 過去分詞 +since+ 開始した時点 She has worked at this convenience store since last April.
- 主語 +
haven't/hasn't+ 過去分詞 +for/since... We haven't seen each other for ages.
I haven't eaten anything since breakfast.
How long を置くのが一般的です。How long+have/has+ 主語 + 過去分詞?How long have you known your mentor?
- 回答例：
I've known him since I joined the company.
I have → I've、He has → He's のように短縮形を使うのが非常に一般的です。特に He's は He is の短縮形と同じ形になるため、文脈から判断する慣れが必要です。for/since の組み合わせは、主に以下のような状況で使われます。日本人の日常生活やビジネスシーンを想定して見てみましょう。- 仕事の場面：
Our company has been in partnership with them since 2015.
- 通勤・住居：
I have lived near the station for three years.
- SNSやLINEで：
I haven't checked my Instagram since this morning.
- 久しぶりの再会：
It's been a while! I haven't seen you since the last Hanami party.
- 趣味やスキル：
He has practiced Kendo since he was five years old.
- 人間関係：
They have been best friends for a lifetime.
- × Incorrect:
I am a teacher for five years. - ○ Correct:
I have been a teacher for five years.
I am... と言いたくなります。しかし、英語で for や since を伴って「継続」を表す場合は、現在形ではなく現在完了形にする必要があります。I am a teacher. だけなら「私は（今）先生です」という事実のみを指しますが、期間を含めるなら「過去から今までのつながり」を示す have been が必須です。for と since の混同- × Incorrect:
I have studied English since three years. - ○ Correct:
I have studied English for three years.
three years は「3年という時間の塊（長さ）」なので、使うべきは for です。もし since を使いたいなら、since 2021 や since three years ago（3年前という時点から）とする必要があります。Present Perfect を使う）- × Incorrect:
I have lived in Kyoto for two years (but now I live in Tokyo). - ○ Correct:
I lived in Kyoto for two years.
for を使っていても過去形（lived）を使わなければなりません。I have lived here for 5 years. | 過去から現在までの「状態の継続」。今も住んでいる。 |I lived here for 5 years. | 過去の一定期間住んでいたが、今はもう住んでいない。 |I have been waiting for 20 minutes. | 「動作の継続」を強調。今まさに待っている最中である。 |for という言葉自体は過去形でも使えますが、その場合は「過去に完結した期間」を意味します。I worked for that company for 10 years.（私はあの会社で10年間働いた。※今はもう辞めている）I have worked for this company for 10 years.（私はこの会社で10年間働いている。※今も社員である）
since の後ろには必ず「年」や「月」を入れないといけませんか？since I graduated from university（大学を卒業して以来）や since we met（私たちが会って以来）のように、過去の一点を表す節を置くことが非常に多いです。この場合、since の中の動詞は必ず「過去形」になります。for を省略することはできますか？for が省略されることが稀にありますが、基本的には付けるのが正解です。特に否定文（I haven't seen him for weeks.）では、期間を明確にするために省略しないのが一般的です。学習段階では、常に付ける習慣をつけておきましょう。since を使って「〜の間ずっと」と言いたい時、since for のようにつなげることはありますか？since と for は役割が重複するため、どちらか一方のみを使います。「3日前から（3日間の間ずっと）」と言いたい場合は、for three days か since three days ago のどちらかを選びます。後者の since ... ago は、日本語の「〜前から」に引っ張られて使いがちですが、英語では for を使う方がより自然で一般的です。know や believe、be 動詞などの「状態を表す動詞」は進行形にできないため、常に現在完了形を使います。一方で wait や study、work などの「動作を表す動詞」は、現在完了進行形にすると「今まさにその真っ最中である」という躍動感や、あるいは「ずっとやり続けていて大変だ」という感情的なニュアンスが加わります。B1レベルでは、まずは状態の継続を表す現在完了形をしっかりマスターしましょう。for と since を絶対に忘れないための覚え方をお伝えします。Forは「ふぉー（幅）」と覚えましょう。
for の「ふ」を関連付けて、時間の「長さ・幅」を表すと記憶します。また、for の o を円に見立てて、時間の「塊」をイメージするのも良いでしょう。Sinceは「指さす（S）」と覚えましょう。
Since の頭文字 S は、カレンダーの特定の地点を指さしている（Starting point）指の形だとイメージしてください。「ここから始まった！」と一点を指すのが since です。for+ 数字・期間（for 3 days,for a long time）since+ 名前・過去の出来事（since Monday,since 2020,since I was born）
for と since を使って英語で言ってみてください。それが一番の練習になります！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
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
S + have/has + V3 + for/since
|
I have worked for two hours.
|
|
Negative
|
S + haven't/hasn't + V3 + for/since
|
She hasn't called since Sunday.
|
|
Question
|
Have/Has + S + V3 + for/since?
|
Have you lived here for long?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, S + have/has
|
Yes, I have.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, S + haven't/hasn't
|
No, she hasn't.
|
|
Wh- Question
|
Wh- + have/has + S + V3 + for/since?
|
How long have you been here?
|
|
Clause with Since
|
S + have/has + V3 + since + Past Simple
|
I've been sad since you left.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
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)
For vs. Since Visualized
FOR (Duration)
- A period of time 2 hours, 5 years, a long time
- Measurement The length of the action
SINCE (Starting Point)
- A specific moment 9:00 AM, Monday, 2021
- The 'Start' flag When the action began
Timeline Comparison
Which one do I use?
Are you talking about a total length of time?
Are you talking about a specific date or time it started?
Time Expression Categories
Use FOR
- • ten minutes
- • two weeks
- • a decade
- • a long time
Use SINCE
- • 8 o'clock
- • February
- • I was a child
- • last Christmas
レベル別の例文
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.
間違えやすい
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.
よくある間違い
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.
文型パターン
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.
The 'How Long' Test
Avoid 'Since' with 'Ago'
Stative Verbs
Ages and Forever
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.
発音
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.
暗記しよう
記憶術
FOR is for the 'Four' (length) of the journey; SINCE is for the 'Start' of the story.
視覚的連想
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
チャレンジ
Look at your watch. Write one sentence with 'for' and one with 'since' about how long you have been studying today.
文化メモ
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).
会話のきっかけ
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?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
I 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...)
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
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
練習問題
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
よくある質問 (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
Learn These First
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