Present Perfect: For vs. Since (Ongoing Actions)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'for' for a total duration of time and 'since' for a specific starting point in the past.
- Use 'for' with periods of time like 'two hours' or 'five years'. Example: 'I have lived here for five years.'
- Use 'since' with specific dates, times, or events like 'Monday' or '2010'. Example: 'I have lived here since 2010.'
- Always use the Present Perfect (have/has + past participle) to show the action is still happening now.
Overview
Use these words for things that started before and continue now.
This connects the past to today. It helps talk about life.
Answer "How long?" with these words. They show things continue now.
Conjugation Table
| Subject | Auxiliary Verb | Past Participle | Example (Affirmative) | Example (Negative) | Example (Interrogative) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :------- | :------------- | :-------------- | :-------------------------------- | :------------------------------------ | :--------------------------------------- | ||
| I | have |
V3 (worked) |
I have worked. |
I haven't worked. |
Have I worked? |
||
| You | have |
V3 (lived) |
You have lived. |
You haven't lived. |
Have you lived? |
||
| He/She/It | has |
V3 (studied) |
He has studied. |
He hasn't studied. |
Has he studied? |
||
| We | have |
V3 (been) |
We have been. |
We haven't been. |
Have we been? |
||
| They | have |
V3 (known) |
They have known. |
They haven't known. |
Have they known? |
How This Grammar Works
For: The prepositionforspecifies the duration – the length of a period of time – during which an action or state has been ongoing. It quantifies the span from the beginning of the action or state to the present. Semantically,formeasures a block of time, and this block is still active. For instance,I have worked here for five yearsindicates that a period of five years has elapsed, and the working continues. You are quantifying the elapsed time up tonow. Considerforas responding to the questionHow long?.She has been a doctor for ten years.(The entire ten-year period is quantified, and she remains a doctor.)We haven't seen each other for a long time.(The duration of not seeing each other is emphasized.)The company has invested for months in this project.(The investment period has lasted for several months and is ongoing.)
Since: The prepositionsincespecifies the starting point – a particular moment or event in the past – when an action or state began. It marks the precise origin on a timeline from which the action or state has continued to the present. Semantically,sinceacts as a chronological marker, indicating that everything from that point untilnowhas been characterized by the ongoing action or state. Considersinceas responding to the questionSince when?.He has lived in this city since 2015.(His residency began in 2015 and continues.)I haven't eaten meat since I became vegetarian.(The start of his vegetarianism marks the point of not eating meat.)They have been waiting since 9 AM.(Their waiting began at 9 AM and continues.)
Formation Pattern
I've studied French for three years.
The team has worked on this issue for several weeks.
You've known her since primary school.
My phone hasn't stopped ringing since noon.
We haven't spoken for months.
It hasn't rained here for a long time.
He hasn't called since his trip to Japan.
They haven't visited their grandmother since her birthday.
Have you lived in this country for a decade?
Have they known each other since childhood?
How long have you been waiting?
I've been waiting for an hour.
I've been waiting since 6 PM.
When To Use It
- 1Expressing the duration of an ongoing action or state: This is the most common application. You use this to specify how long something has been true or happening up to the current moment.
My brother has worked in London for seven years.(He started working seven years ago and is still working there.)The construction project has been delayed since last month.(The delay began last month and is still active.)We haven't heard from our neighbours for weeks.(The period of not hearing from them spans several weeks and continues.)
- 1Describing experiences that have lasted up to now: This includes situations, achievements, or lack thereof, within a timeframe that extends from the past to the present. It is often used with adverbs like
never,ever,yetto emphasize the absence or presence of an experience within this ongoing period.
I haven't traveled abroad since before the pandemic.(My last international trip was pre-pandemic, and I haven't traveled since.)She has never seen a live theatre performance since her family moved to the city.(Her lack of experience has persisted from that point.)Have you ever visited that museum since it was renovated?(Inquiring about an experience within the period following its renovation.)
- 1Indicating the existence of a state or situation over a specified period: This applies especially to state verbs (e.g.,
be,know,have(possess),believe,understand,love,hate,own,seem). These verbs typically do not take continuous forms, so the Present Perfect Simple is used to express ongoing states.
They have known each other since university.(Their acquaintance began at university and continues.)He has owned that classic car for decades.(His ownership started decades ago and persists.)The company has been successful since its inception.(Its success began at its founding and continues to this day.)
When Not To Use It
- 1For completed actions in the past with no present relevance: If an action began and finished entirely in the past, and its result or impact is not directly connected to the current moment, the Past Simple is appropriate. The Present Perfect explicitly implies continuation or current relevance.
- Incorrect:
I have lived in Paris for five years, but I moved to London last year.(The act of living in Paris is finished.) - Correct:
I lived in Paris for five years.(This accurately conveys a completed past period of residency.) - Incorrect:
She has read that book since yesterday.(If she finished reading it yesterday.) - Correct:
She read that book yesterday.
- 1With adverbs or expressions that refer to a definite, completed past time: Words such as
yesterday,last week,two years ago,in 2010(when referring to a completed event), or specific dates for non-ongoing events are typically used with the Past Simple, not the Present Perfect withfororsince.
- Incorrect:
He has arrived since an hour ago.(An hour agodenotes a specific, finished point for an arrival that is now complete.) - Correct:
He arrived an hour ago. - Incorrect:
We haven't seen her last night. - Correct:
We didn't see her last night.(Unless referring to a situation where the not-seeing began last night and continued, which would usesincecorrectly:We haven't seen her since last night.This highlights the crucial distinction.)
- 1When the duration or starting point is irrelevant to the communicative purpose: If the goal is simply to state that an action occurred, without emphasizing its duration or origin relative to the present, the Past Simple is often more concise and natural.
- Avoid overusing:
I have eaten breakfast for thirty minutes.(Unless the duration of eating breakfast is highly significant for some reason,I ate breakfastorI've eaten breakfastis sufficient.) - Prefer:
I wrote an email.(Compared toI have written an email since 9 AM, if the focus is on the completed task, not the ongoing writing process.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing
forandsince: This is arguably the most prevalent error. The distinction between a measured duration (for) and a specific starting point (since) must be firmly established.
- Mistake:
I've lived here since five years.(Incorrect,five yearsis a duration.) - Correction:
I've lived here for five years. - Mistake:
She hasn't called for last Tuesday.(Incorrect,last Tuesdayis a starting point.) - Correction:
She hasn't called since last Tuesday.
- 1Using the Past Simple instead of the Present Perfect for ongoing situations: If an action or state began in the past and is still active, the Present Perfect is mandatory. The Past Simple implies completion.
- Mistake:
He worked here for ten years.(If he is still working there.) - Correction:
He has worked here for ten years.
- 1Omitting
have/has(the auxiliary verb): The auxiliary verb is a non-negotiable component of the Present Perfect tense. Its absence renders the sentence grammatically incorrect and often confusing.
- Mistake:
She studied English since 2018.(Missinghas.) - Correction:
She has studied English since 2018.
- 1Using
agowith the Present Perfect:Agois used exclusively with the Past Simple to indicate how far in the past an event occurred. It is not compatible with the Present Perfect, which focuses on connection to the present.
- Mistake:
I haven't seen her since two days ago.(While understandable, it's less idiomatic and directly mixes two temporal systems.) - Correction:
I haven't seen her for two days.(Or, using Past Simple:I last saw her two days ago.)
- 1Using
fororsincewith verbs that inherently convey a fixed point in time: Verbs likebe born,die,arrive,leave,start,finishdescribe instantaneous actions. Whilesincecan refer to the event of someone leaving (since she left),forcannot be used to describe the duration of these single points in time.
- Mistake:
She has arrived for an hour ago. - Correction:
She arrived an hour ago.(OrShe has been here for an hour.if referring to the state of being here.)
Memory Trick
"For" and "since" show time from the past until now.
"For" measures total time. It is like using a ruler.
- Example: for three hours, for many years, for a short period.
"Since" shows the start time. It is like a calendar mark.
- Example: since Monday, since 2010, since I graduated.
Use "for" with numbers. Use "since" with days or dates.
Real Conversations
The Present Perfect with for and since is integral to everyday English communication, allowing speakers to connect past experiences to current realities. You will encounter this structure frequently in diverse contexts, from casual exchanges to professional discussions.
1. Casual Chat / Social Media:
- Conversation: "I haven't seen you for ages! How have you been?" "I've been so busy! I've been working on this project since early morning, and I'm exhausted."
- Social Media Post: "Missing the beach! I haven't been on vacation since last summer. 😩"
- Text Message: "U still here? I've been waiting for like 20 min."
2. Professional / Academic Contexts:
- Meeting Discussion: "Our team has developed this software for over two years now, and we've refined it considerably since its initial prototype."
- Email: "Dear Mr. Smith, I have been trying to reach you since yesterday afternoon regarding the updated proposal."
- Academic Presentation: "Research in this field has shown consistent results for the past decade, especially since the introduction of new methodologies in 2018."
3. News Reporting / Formal Statements:
- "The local economy has struggled for several months, with unemployment rates rising steadily since the factory closure in January."
- "Authorities have contained the situation, but the area has remained under strict lockdown since the incident occurred."
Cultural Insight
for and since in English reflects a cultural emphasis on the continuity and ongoing relevance of events. In conversations, it's common to hear people quantify their experiences or trace the origin of situations, highlighting how the past informs the present. For instance, when meeting someone, asking How long have you lived here? with the expectation of a for or since response is a standard way to gauge their history in a place, creating a sense of shared timeline.Contrast With Similar Patterns
- 1Present Perfect with
for/sincevs. Past Simple with duration:
- Present Perfect: Implies that the action or state is ongoing or its effect is still relevant now.
I have lived in Berlin for five years.(You are still living in Berlin.)She has known him since childhood.(She still knows him.)- Past Simple: Indicates that the action or state began and ended entirely in the past.
I lived in Berlin for five years.(You no longer live in Berlin; the period of living there is complete.)He worked at that company for ten years.(He no longer works there.)
- 1Present Perfect Simple with
for/sincevs. Present Perfect Continuous withfor/since:
- Present Perfect Simple (
have/has + V3): Generally used for: - State verbs (verbs describing states, not actions, which cannot be continuous):
know,be,have(possess),understand,believe,like,love,hate,seem,own, etc. I have known her for a long time.(NotI have been knowing her.).He has been sick since Monday.(NotHe has been being sick.).- Focus on the result or completion of an action, especially with quantification:
She has written three reports since morning.(Focus on the quantity completed, implying the writing might be done, or that three are finished so far.)- Emphasis on the duration as a fact for longer-term, less temporary actions.
They have lived in that house for twenty years.(Simply states the fact of their long-term residency.)
- Present Perfect Continuous (
have/has been + V-ing): Generally used for: - Action verbs that emphasize the activity or process itself, especially if it is potentially temporary or ongoing up to and perhaps including the present moment.
I have been studying English for three hours.(Focus on the continuous activity of studying, perhaps you are still studying.)It has been raining since dawn.(Emphasizes the continuous nature of the rain and its current activity.)- To explain a present situation based on a recent ongoing past activity.
You look tired. Have you been working for a long time?(The ongoing working explains the current tiredness.)- For many action verbs (e.g.,
live,work,study,teach), both simple and continuous forms are often interchangeable with minimal difference in meaning when discussing duration, especially for long periods. The continuous form merely adds a slight emphasis on the process or activity. I have worked here for five years.vs.I have been working here for five years.(Both are correct and widely used; the continuous form slightly highlights the ongoing nature of the work itself.)
Progressive Practice
Practice helps you learn. Start with easy steps to remember everything.
Read these sentences. Find the mistakes. Choose the right words.
- I have known my best friend since ten years.
- She hasn't visited her hometown for she moved away.
- They are living here for a long time.
(Correct: for ten years, since she moved, lived here for long.)
Fill in the gaps. Use "for" or "since." Use the right words.
- My neighbour _________ (learn) Spanish _________ six months.
- How long _________ you _________ (wait) for the bus?
- I _________ (not / eat) sushi _________ I was in Japan.
- (Possible answers: has been learning / for, have / been waiting, haven't eaten / since)
Write the sentences again. Use "for" or "since" to say the same.
- The last time I saw him was in March.
- I haven't seen him since March.
- She started working here three years ago.
- She has worked here for three years.
- We became friends when we were children.
- We have been friends since childhood.
Write five sentences about your life. Use "for" or "since."
- I have studied English for...
- I haven't visited... since...
- My family has lived in... since...
Tips for B1 Learners:
- Focus on the Core: Always ask yourself: Am I measuring a duration (for) or pointing to a starting moment/event (since)?
Use the simple way for words like "know" or "be."
Listen to people talk. Watch movies. Copy how they use these words.
Quick FAQ
for be used with the Past Simple?since with the Past Simple?I have lived here for five years and I have been living here for five years?- Present Perfect Simple (
have lived): Often states the duration as a fact.I have lived here for five yearsis a statement of fact about the length of residency. - Present Perfect Continuous (
have been living): Emphasizes the ongoing activity or process itself, and sometimes suggests that the action is temporary, or explains a current result.I have been living here for five yearsputs more emphasis on the continuous nature of the act of living, perhaps implying it feels like a long time or is the reason for some current state (e.g.,I have been living here for five years, so I know the area well.). For state verbs (know,be), only the simple form is correct.
for a long time, for ages, for a while, for an eternity. For a starting point, you can use since forever or since I can remember.Present Perfect + For/Since Structure
| Subject | Auxiliary | Past Participle | Preposition | Time Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I / You / We / They
|
have
|
lived
|
for
|
six months
|
|
He / She / It
|
has
|
lived
|
since
|
January
|
|
I / You / We / They
|
have not (haven't)
|
seen
|
for
|
ages
|
|
He / She / It
|
has not (hasn't)
|
seen
|
since
|
Monday
|
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 week.
|
|
She has
|
She's
|
She's been sick since yesterday.
|
|
We have
|
We've
|
We've lived here for years.
|
|
They have
|
They've
|
They've been friends since school.
|
Meanings
The Present Perfect with 'for' or 'since' describes an action that started in the past and continues into the present moment.
Duration of State
Used with stative verbs (be, know, like) to show how long a situation has existed.
“We have been friends for a long time.”
“I have known him since high school.”
Ongoing Action
Used with dynamic verbs to show an activity that hasn't stopped yet.
“He has played the piano for twenty minutes.”
“It has rained since this morning.”
Negative Duration
Used to express how much time has passed since an event last occurred.
“I haven't seen her for ages.”
“We haven't been to the cinema since March.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (For)
|
S + have/has + V3 + for + duration
|
I have studied for two hours.
|
|
Affirmative (Since)
|
S + have/has + V3 + since + point
|
I have studied since 2 PM.
|
|
Negative (For)
|
S + haven't/hasn't + V3 + for + duration
|
He hasn't called for a week.
|
|
Negative (Since)
|
S + haven't/hasn't + V3 + since + point
|
He hasn't called since Sunday.
|
|
Question (For)
|
Have/Has + S + V3 + for + duration?
|
Have you worked here for long?
|
|
Question (Since)
|
Have/Has + S + V3 + since + point?
|
Have you worked here since May?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, + S + have/has
|
Yes, I have.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, + S + haven't/hasn't
|
No, she hasn't.
|
Formality Spectrum
I have been employed by this firm for six years. (Professional history)
I have worked here for six years. (Professional history)
I've been here for six years. (Professional history)
I've been at this gig for six years. (Professional history)
For vs Since Visualization
FOR (Duration)
- 2 hours a period of 120 minutes
- 5 years a long period of time
- Ages an informal long time
SINCE (Starting Point)
- 9:00 AM a specific time on the clock
- Last Christmas a specific holiday
- I was young a point in my life
Measuring vs Naming Time
Which one should I use?
Are you talking about a total amount of time?
Are you talking about a specific start date/time?
Common Time Phrases
Use FOR with...
- • a long time
- • three weeks
- • centuries
- • a few minutes
Use SINCE with...
- • I left school
- • breakfast
- • yesterday
- • 2001
Examples by Level
I have been here for one hour.
She has lived here since 2022.
We have had this car for a week.
He has been sick since Friday.
I haven't seen him for two days.
They have been married since July.
How long have you been a teacher?
She has known me for a long time.
I've worked in this office since I finished university.
We've been waiting for the bus for over forty minutes.
Has he lived in London since he was a child?
I haven't eaten anything since breakfast.
The company has owned this property for several decades.
I've been meaning to call you since we last met.
Prices have risen significantly since the new law was passed.
He hasn't contributed to the project for quite some time.
The tension has been building since the inception of the project.
I haven't seen such a display of talent for many a year.
She has been a pillar of the community since time immemorial.
The law has been in effect for the duration of the crisis.
The manuscript has lain untouched for what must be centuries.
Ever since the scandal broke, the senator has been under intense scrutiny.
I haven't so much as spoken to him in weeks.
The city has undergone a metamorphosis since the turn of the century.
Easily Confused
Learners use Past Simple for ongoing actions or Present Perfect for finished ones.
Both relate to time, but 'during' is used with nouns to say when something happened, not how long.
Learners use 'from' to mark a start point with the Present Perfect.
Common Mistakes
I am here since Monday.
I have been here since Monday.
I have been here for 2010.
I have been here since 2010.
I have lived here since two years.
I have lived here for two years.
I have know him for a long time.
I have known him for a long time.
She has worked here since five months.
She has worked here for five months.
How long you have been here?
How long have you been here?
I haven't seen her since a long time.
I haven't seen her for a long time.
I have been knowing her since 2015.
I have known her since 2015.
I've been here since I have been a child.
I've been here since I was a child.
It's been raining for this morning.
It's been raining since this morning.
I haven't seen him for the last time we met.
I haven't seen him since the last time we met.
Sentence Patterns
I have known ___ since ___.
She hasn't ___ for ___.
How long have you ___?
Real World Usage
I have worked in sales for over a decade.
I've had this cough since last Tuesday.
We've been together for three years.
I have been on hold for twenty minutes!
Living in NYC since 2015.
I have been in the country for two weeks.
The 'All' Exception
Since + Past Simple
Negative 'In'
How long...?
Smart Tips
Stop! If you arrived 2 days ago and are still here, you must use 'I have been'.
Use 'for'. Numbers usually indicate a duration.
Swap 'for' for 'in'.
Always put that verb in the Past Simple.
Pronunciation
Contraction of 'have'
In natural speech, 'have' is almost always contracted to /v/ after pronouns.
Weak form of 'for'
The word 'for' is usually pronounced with a schwa /fə/ unless it is stressed.
Emphasis on duration
I've been waiting for ↘️HOURS.
Conveys frustration or surprise at the length of time.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
FOR is for the length of the floor (duration); SINCE is for the start of the fence (point).
Visual Association
Imagine 'FOR' as a ruler measuring a piece of string. Imagine 'SINCE' as a push-pin on a calendar marking the exact day you started.
Rhyme
For is for a length of time, Since is for the starting line.
Story
A traveler has been walking 'for' ten days. He hasn't seen a city 'since' he left the mountains. He measures his journey in days (for) but remembers his departure (since).
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your life: one using 'for', one using 'since' with a year, and one using 'since' with a past event (e.g., 'since I was a child').
Cultural Notes
British speakers are very strict about using the Present Perfect with 'for' and 'since'. Using the Past Simple instead (e.g., 'I didn't see him since Monday') sounds very incorrect to them.
While the Present Perfect is standard, in informal American speech, you might occasionally hear the Past Simple used with 'since', though it is technically non-standard.
Using 'for' and 'since' correctly is a marker of professional English proficiency. It is often tested in exams like IELTS or TOEFL because it shows a grasp of complex time relationships.
The Present Perfect evolved from Old English 'habban' (to have) + a past participle, originally meaning 'I possess a finished thing'. Over time, it shifted to describe the state resulting from that action.
Conversation Starters
How long have you lived in your current city?
What is something you have owned since you were a child?
How long have you been studying English, and what has been the hardest part?
Have you known your best friend for a long time?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
I have lived in this apartment ___ 2010.
They have been married ___ forty years.
Find and fix the mistake:
I am a teacher since three years.
I started working here in January. (I have...)
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: How long have you had that dog? B: I've had him ___.
We use 'since' with a period of time, like 'five days'.
Which ones go with 'For'?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesI have lived in this apartment ___ 2010.
They have been married ___ forty years.
Find and fix the mistake:
I am a teacher since three years.
I started working here in January. (I have...)
1. ___ ages, 2. ___ I was a child, 3. ___ a long time, 4. ___ last night
A: How long have you had that dog? B: I've had him ___.
We use 'since' with a period of time, like 'five days'.
Which ones go with 'For'?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThey haven't visited their grandparents ___ Christmas.
How long ___ you been learning French?
We know him since 2010.
I haven't eaten for I woke up.
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Él ha estado esperando el autobús durante veinte minutos.'
Translate into English: 'No he comido chocolate desde que era niño.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match each time expression with the correct word:
Match the beginnings with the correct endings:
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 do.
No, 'since' is almost exclusively used with the Present Perfect (or Past Perfect) in English to show a connection to a later time.
It is always `for a long time`. 'A long time' is a duration, not a specific point.
`For` tells you how long (duration). `During` tells you when (within a named event). Example: 'I slept for two hours during the flight.'
Technically yes, but it is much more natural to say `for five years`. 'Since' is better with dates or events.
Yes, for this specific rule of duration, the Present Perfect `have/has + past participle` is required.
Yes! `Ever since` is a common way to emphasize that something has been true from a specific point until now. 'I've loved pizza ever since I was a kid.'
In negative sentences, `in` is a common and natural substitute for `for` in informal English.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Presente + hace / desde
Spanish uses present tense; English uses present perfect.
Présent + depuis
French uses present tense for ongoing actions.
Präsens + seit
German uses one word (seit) for both points and durations.
~te iru + kara/aida
Japanese relies on aspect markers rather than a specific perfect tense.
Mudari' (Present) + mundhu
Arabic uses the present tense where English uses the perfect.
Verb + le + duration
Chinese uses aspect particles and word order instead of prepositions.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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