Present Perfect: For vs. Since (Duration & Starting Point)
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
Use 'have' for things from past to now. Use 'for' and 'since' for time.
These words show when things started. They show if things continue now.
Conjugation Table
| Subject | Auxiliary Verb | Main Verb (Past Participle) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| :------------- | :--------------- | :---------------------------- | ||
I |
have |
worked |
||
You |
have |
studied |
||
He/She/It |
has |
lived |
||
We |
have |
eaten |
||
They |
have |
gone |
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
They have waited for two hours. (The waiting lasted two hours.)
You haven't seen her for ages. (The lack of seeing her has spanned ages.)
He has studied English since 2023. (His studying began in 2023.)
We haven't eaten since breakfast. (The last time we ate was breakfast.)
When To Use It
- 1For ongoing situations or states: When an activity or condition started in the past and has not yet finished, continuing into the present, these prepositions are essential. You are describing an unbroken temporal link.
I have known my best friend for fifteen years.(The friendship began fifteen years ago and continues now.)The company has been profitable since its inception.(Profitability started at the beginning and remains true.)
- 1For experiences up to now, specifying their duration or origin: If you are reflecting on experiences or achievements over a period that includes the present,
forandsinceadd crucial detail.
She hasn't traveled abroad for three years.(Her last international trip was three years ago, and this state persists.)We have owned this car since 2020.(The ownership started in 2020 and is ongoing.)
- 1To emphasize the current impact or status of a past action: Even if an action concluded, if its effects are actively felt or observed in the present,
fororsincecan be used to explain the duration or origin of that current state.
I haven't eaten anything since lunch, and I'm starving.(The lack of eating, which started at lunch, causes the present hunger.)They have been waiting for this opportunity for months.(The long waiting period explains their current eagerness.)
When Not To Use It
- 1For completed actions in the definite past: If an action began and ended entirely in the past, with no connection or relevance to the present, you must use the
Simple Pasttense. Do not use thePresent Perfectwithfororsincein such cases.
- Incorrect:
I have lived in London for five years (but I left last month). - Correct:
I lived in London for five years.(This implies the living is complete.) - The
Simple Pastwithfordescribes a finished duration in the past, whereasPresent Perfectwithfordescribes an ongoing duration that includes the present.
- 1With specific past time expressions (unless
sinceis used to mark that specific point): Avoid usingfororsincewithPresent Perfectif the time expression clearly points to a finished past interval, such asyesterday,last week,two years ago, or a specific year in the past when the action is no longer ongoing.
- Incorrect:
She has visited Paris last year.(The phraselast yearspecifies a completed action in the past.) - Correct:
She visited Paris last year. - However,
She hasn't visited Paris since last year.is correct, assince last yearmarks the beginning of the period ofnot visitingthat continues to the present.
- 1When the focus is solely on the completed event or result, without emphasis on duration or origin: If you are merely stating that something has occurred, and the length of time or starting point is not the central message,
forandsinceare often omitted.
- Correct:
I have read that book.(States the experience of reading.) - Correct:
I have read that book for two weeks.(States the duration of reading, implying it's ongoing or recently completed with present relevance.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing
forandsince: This is the most prevalent error. Learners often interchange the two, failing to distinguish between a period of time and a point in time.
- Incorrect:
I have been waiting since two hours.(two hoursis a duration, not a point.) - Correct:
I have been waiting for two hours. - Incorrect:
She has lived here for last July.(last Julyis a point in time, not a duration.) - Correct:
She has lived here since last July.
- 1Using
Present Simpleinstead ofPresent Perfectfor ongoing states: Many languages use a simple present tense to describe actions that started in the past and continue. English requires thePresent Perfect(orPresent Perfect Continuous) in such cases.
- Incorrect:
I know him for ten years.(Implies a current, but un-timed, state.) - Correct:
I have known him for ten years.(Emphasizes the duration of the ongoing knowledge.)
- 1Using
Present Perfectwithfor/sincewhen the action is clearly finished: This mistake blurs the distinction between thePresent Perfect(past to present connection) and theSimple Past(completed past action).
- Incorrect:
He has worked at that company for five years, but he retired last month. - Correct:
He worked at that company for five years.(Since he retired, the action is finished, requiringSimple Past.)
- 1Omitting
fororsincewhen duration or starting point is crucial: While sometimes acceptable informally, omitting these prepositions in contexts requiring precision can lead to ambiguity.
- Ambiguous:
I have lived in London five years.(The duration is implied but not explicitly stated withfor.) - Clearer:
I have lived in London for five years.
Memory Trick
Remember these simple rules to choose 'for' or 'since'.
'For' is for total time. Count the days or years.
'Since' is for the start. Name the day or year.
'For' asks 'How long?'. 'Since' asks 'When did it start?'.
Real Conversations
For and since are integral to everyday communication among English speakers, appearing in various contexts from casual chat to professional correspondence. Their natural usage reflects a need to specify timeframes.
- Social media post: "Exploring new horizons! I haven't been back to my hometown since high school. So much has changed here for the better!" (Here, since high school marks the beginning of the period of not being back, and for the better expresses a duration of positive change.)
- Work email: "We've been waiting for a response from the client for almost a week now. I haven't heard anything since Tuesday's meeting." (for almost a week specifies the duration of waiting, while since Tuesday's meeting gives the last known point of contact.)
- Casual conversation: "You look exhausted. Have you been studying for your exams for long?" "Yeah, I've barely slept since Friday." (for long queries the duration of studying, and since Friday indicates the starting point of insufficient sleep.)
- Customer support interaction: "My internet has been down for three hours. I've tried restarting the router since the first outage." (for three hours states the duration of the outage, since the first outage specifies when troubleshooting began.)
These examples demonstrate how for and since provide necessary temporal anchors, clarifying the extent and origin of situations that affect the present.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- 1
Present Perfect+for/sincevs.Simple Past+for:
I have lived in Berlin for three years.(This means I moved to Berlin three years ago, and I still live there now.) The action is ongoing and connected to the present.I lived in Berlin for three years.(This means I lived in Berlin for a period of three years, but I no longer live there.) The action is entirely completed in the past.
- 1
Present Perfect+for/sincevs.Present Perfect Continuous+for/since:
I have worked at this company for five years.(Focuses on the duration of the state or the completed amount of work, emphasizing the fact that you are employed there.)I have been working at this company for five years.(Focuses on the activity or process of working over the duration, often emphasizing the effort or the ongoing nature.)
- 1
sincevs.ago:
I started my job three years ago.(agois used with theSimple Pasttense to indicate a point in time counted backward from the present.) It answersWhen did it happen?for a finished event.I haven't seen her since three years ago.(sinceis used with thePresent Perfecttense to mark the starting point of a period that continues up to the present.) It answersWhen did it start not happening?
Progressive Practice
Practice a lot to learn these words. You must speak and write. Just reading is not enough.
Write about your life. Use 'for' and 'since'. For example: 'I have lived here for five years.' This helps you remember.
Find 'for' and 'since' in movies. Look at how people use them. This helps you speak well.
Talk about your day. Say what you did for a long time. Say what you stopped doing. This helps you practice.
Engaging in these types of exercises will transform abstract grammatical rules into intuitive linguistic tools, enhancing your fluency and accuracy.
Quick FAQ
for be omitted in some contexts?Yes, for is sometimes omitted in informal speech, especially if the duration is clear from context, like "I've been here a while" or "He's been sick a week.". However, in formal writing or when precision is important, including for is advisable to prevent ambiguity.
for ever used with the Present Simple?Rarely, for duration. Present Simple typically describes habits or facts, not actions ongoing from the past. "I live here for five years" is incorrect for duration; "I have lived here for five years" is correct. For can appear with Present Simple in other constructions, like "This bus goes to the city center for a fee" (meaning 'in exchange for'), but not to express an ongoing duration.
Absolutely. When since refers to a specific past event as the starting point, that event can be described using a Simple Past clause. For example, "I haven't eaten properly since I started this diet.", where started is in the Simple Past. The entire clause functions as the point in time.
for a long time? Is long time a duration or a point?A long time is unequivocally a duration. Therefore, it always takes for. For instance, "I haven't seen her for a long time" is correct. You are quantifying an extended period, not marking a specific starting moment.
since forever?Informally, yes. "I've been tired since forever" is a hyperbolic expression meaning for an extremely long time, effectively since the beginning of time or always. While not grammatically precise for since, its idiomatic meaning is well understood in casual conversation and conveys an emphatic, prolonged duration.
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.
|
Formality Spectrum
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
Examples by Level
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.
Easily Confused
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
Sentence Patterns
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.
Pronunciation
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.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
FOR is for the 'Four' (length) of the journey; SINCE is for the 'Start' of the story.
Visual Association
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
Challenge
Look at your watch. Write one sentence with 'for' and one with 'since' about how long you have been studying today.
Cultural Notes
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).
Conversation Starters
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?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
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
Practice Exercises
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
Related 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: US vs UK (I've done vs I did)
Overview The Present Perfect tense describes actions completed in the past that maintain a connection to the present. Th...
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...
Life Experiences: Present Perfect with Ever and Never
Overview The Present Perfect with `ever` and `never` is a cornerstone for discussing personal experiences, enabling you...
Future Continuous (will be -ing)
Overview The **Future Continuous** (also called the Future Progressive) is a verb tense used to project yourself into th...
English Present Perfect: Connecting Past to Now (Basic Formation)
Overview The English **Present Perfect** tense serves a crucial function in connecting past events or states with the pr...
