Tenses & Verb Forms

Since vs. For

1 min read

We use since and for to talk about how long something has been happening — but they are used in different ways depending on the type of time reference.

When to use “since”

Since is used with a specific point in time — when something started. This can be a date, a day, or a specific event.

She’s lived in Berlin since 2018.
I haven’t seen him since Monday.
They’ve been married since last summer.

When to use “for”

For is used with a length of time — a period or duration.

She’s lived in Berlin for five years.
I haven’t seen him for two days.
They’ve been married for a long time.

💡 Tip

Use “since” with a starting point in time (e.g. since 9 AM, since last week).
Use “for” with a duration of time (e.g. for 3 hours, for six months).

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

We’ve lived here ___ 2010.

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Tenses & Verb Forms

Since vs. For

1 min read

We use since and for to talk about how long something has been happening — but they are used in different ways depending on the type of time reference.

When to use “since”

Since is used with a specific point in time — when something started. This can be a date, a day, or a specific event.

She’s lived in Berlin since 2018.
I haven’t seen him since Monday.
They’ve been married since last summer.

When to use “for”

For is used with a length of time — a period or duration.

She’s lived in Berlin for five years.
I haven’t seen him for two days.
They’ve been married for a long time.

💡 Tip

Use “since” with a starting point in time (e.g. since 9 AM, since last week).
Use “for” with a duration of time (e.g. for 3 hours, for six months).

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

We’ve lived here ___ 2010.

Discover the app: Shaky English

Join 100,000 people who are improving their English skills on the Shaky English app

Other similar rules

Common mistakes

Using “will” vs. “going to” for future

A bit of theory

The correct use of “anxious”

Common confusions

Like vs. Such as

Common confusions

Win vs. Earn vs. Gain

Agreement rules

Tag Questions (You’re French, aren’t you?)

Common confusions

Borrow vs. Lend

Common confusions

Based off vs. Based on

Common mistakes