Using Since and ForUse since + (a specific time) like March 31, or 9:19 a.m., or Tuesday.
Examples:
I have been studying English since 1993.
John has helped me since 10:00 this morning.
Those people have been in Europe since August.
Note: Because we are talking about a time in the past until now, we have to use have/has + past participle when we use since.
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Use for + (a length of time) like 1 day, or 3 hours, or 5 years.
Examples:
I have been studying English for 4 years.
John has helped me for 8 hours.
Those people went to Europe for 2 months.
Note: It is possible to use the past tense when you use for if the action is finished.
Check Your UnderstandingChoose the correct answer. Check your answers below.
1. Leslie has lived here ______ since for ten years.
2. I haven’t seen you ______ since for last March.
3. We sat and talked ______ since for 30 minutes.
4. Young-eun studied French ______ since for nine years.
5. Caroline has been learning Spanish ______ since for March 1999.
6. We haven’t had an earthquake ______ since for 23 years.
7. I haven’t heard from you ______ since for Saturday.
8. Molly hasn’t eaten ______ since for 7:00 this morning.
9. He played basketball ______ since for over 20 years.
10. Andre hasn’t seen Becky ______ since for yesterday.
Check your answers 1. for, 2. since, 3. for, 4. for 5. since 6. for, 7. since, 8. since, 9. for, 10. since