For and Since Exercises
Do more with this exercise
For a length of time; since a starting point
Use for with a period of time and since with the point when the period began. Both can describe a situation that started in the past and is still true now.
- Duration:
- For + a length of time: for two hours, for three years, for a long time.
- Starting point:
- Since + a starting point: since Monday, since 2020, since I moved here.
- Present perfect:
- Use have/has + past participle for a situation that began in the past and continues now: I have lived here for five years.
- Question:
- Ask How long...? to find the duration: How long have you lived here?
- Check:
- A date or event is a point, not a length: since 2020, not for 2020.
Examples
I have lived here for five years.
five years is a duration
She has worked here since 2021.
2021 is a starting point
We have waited for two hours.
two hours is a duration
He has known her since they were children.
the clause marks the beginning
They have been friends for a long time.
a long time is a duration
Audio uses a synthetic voice.
Practice exercises
Choose for or since
Choose the word that fits the time expression.
1.I have lived here ___ 2019.
2.We have waited ___ three hours.
3.She has worked here ___ Monday.
4.They have been friends ___ a long time.
5.I have known him ___ we were children.
6.The shop has been closed ___ two days.
Complete the time expression
Type *for* or *since* in each blank.
Correct the time word
Replace the incorrect *for* or *since* with the correct one.
13.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
14.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
15.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
16.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
17.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
18.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
How to choose for or since
For and since both connect an earlier time to now, but they answer different questions. For answers “how long?” and takes a period such as an hour, five days or many years. Since answers “from when?” and takes a date, day, moment or event when the period began.
The present perfect often appears with these words because it can describe a situation that started in the past and continues. “I have worked here for six years” measures the whole period. “I have worked here since 2020” names its beginning. Both can describe the same job if the dates fit.
Check the expression after the blank rather than guessing from the verb. A number of years is a duration, so it takes for. A year such as 2020 is a starting point, so it takes since. A full clause can also mark a starting event: “since I moved here.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between for and since?
For introduces a length of time, such as for two years. Since introduces the point when the period began, such as since 2022.
Can for and since be used with the present perfect?
Yes. The present perfect often describes a situation that began in the past and continues now: “I have lived here for five years” or “I have lived here since 2021.”
Can since be followed by a whole clause?
Yes. A clause can name the starting event: “We have been friends since we were children.”
Should I say for Monday or since Monday?
Say since Monday when Monday is the starting day. For needs a duration, such as for three days.
Answer key
1. I have lived here ___ 2019.
Answer: since
2019 is the starting year, so use since.
2. We have waited ___ three hours.
Answer: for
Three hours is a length of time, so use for.
3. She has worked here ___ Monday.
Answer: since
Monday names the start, so use since.
4. They have been friends ___ a long time.
Answer: for
A long time is a duration, so use for.
5. I have known him ___ we were children.
Answer: since
The clause tells us when the friendship began, so use since.
6. The shop has been closed ___ two days.
Answer: for
Two days is a length of time, so use for.
7. We have lived in this town ___ 2020.
Answer: since
2020 is the starting point.
8. My brother has had that bike ___ six months.
Answer: for
Six months is a duration.
9. I have not seen her ___ last Friday.
Answer: since
Last Friday marks the starting point.
10. The children have played outside ___ an hour.
Answer: for
An hour is a length of time.
11. He has felt better ___ he changed his routine.
Answer: since
The event marks the start of the period.
12. They have lived together ___ many years.
Answer: for
Many years is a duration.
13. She has worked here for 2021.
Answer: She has worked here since 2021.
2021 is a starting year, so use since.
14. I have waited since two hours.
Answer: I have waited for two hours.
Two hours is a duration, so use for.
15. We have been friends for we were ten.
Answer: We have been friends since we were ten.
We were ten tells us when the friendship started, so use since.
16. The dog has slept since three hours.
Answer: The dog has slept for three hours.
Three hours is a length of time, so use for.
17. He has lived in Rome for last summer.
Answer: He has lived in Rome since last summer.
Last summer marks when the period began, so use since.
18. They have owned this house since ten years.
Answer: They have owned this house for ten years.
Ten years is a duration, so use for.