Use Since or For in English

When to use ‘Since’ or ‘For’

Grammar, Misunderstandings in English

Since vs For: What’s the Difference?

Learning when to use “since” and “for” can be confusing, but it’s actually quite simple when you understand one key idea:

  • “Since” = a starting point in time
  • “For” = a period (duration) of time

Let’s look at each one clearly.

When to Use “Since”

Use “since” when you talk about when something started in the past, and it is still true now.

👉 Structure:
since + point in time (e.g., yesterday, 2020, last week, 9 a.m.)

Examples:

  1. I have worked here since 2020.
  2. She has lived in Dublin since last year.
  3. We have known each other since childhood.
  4. He has been at the airport since 6 a.m.
  5. They have studied English since January.

✅ Tip: Think of “since” = from a specific time in the past until now

When to Use “For”

Use “for” when you talk about how long something has happened.

👉 Structure:
for + period of time (e.g., two hours, three days, a long time)

Examples:

  1. I have worked here for five years.
  2. She has lived in Dublin for one year.
  3. We have known each other for a long time.
  4. He has been at the airport for two hours.
  5. They have studied English for six months.

✅ Tip: Think of “for” = duration (length of time)

Quick Comparison

Since (Start Time)For (Duration)
since 2020for 5 years
since Mondayfor 2 days
since 9 a.m.for 3 hours
since last weekfor a week
since Januaryfor 6 months

Simple Rule to Remember

  • Use “since” → when you say when something started
  • Use “for” → when you say how long something lasted

Common Mistake

❌ I have worked here since five years.
✅ I have worked here for five years.

❌ I have lived here for 2020.
✅ I have lived here since 2020.

Final Tip

Both “since” and “for” are often used with the present perfect tense:

👉 have / has + past participle
Example: I have lived here since 2020.

If you remember “since = start” and “for = duration”, you will use these words correctly every time.

Quick Quiz: Since or For?

Choose the correct word: ‘since‘ or ‘for’.

Questions

  1. I have worked here ___ three years.
  2. She has lived in London ___ 2022.
  3. We have been waiting ___ 30 minutes.
  4. He has studied English ___ last summer.
  5. They have known each other ___ a long time.

Scroll Down to See The Answers

  1. for
  2. since
  3. for
  4. since
  5. for