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  4. Since vs. For
Tenses & Verb Forms

Since vs. For

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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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