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In this lesson you will learn the grammar rules of when to use for and since. This is a common mistake in English, but once you understand the rule, it’s really very simple.

For and Since are confused when they are used as preposition in present perfect sentences. This is the area which we are going to discuss in this lesson.

FOR

We use the preposition FOR to describe an amount of time. Look at the following examples;

I have lived in Spain for 10 years
She has been working in the office for 3 years
I haven’t eaten for 2 hours
I have owned this car for 1 week.

In these examples FOR is followed by a number, which is a good way to remember the rule. But the rule is really, FOR should be used when talking about a UNIT or UNITS of time.

a second, a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year etc.

SINCE

We use the preposition SINCE to talk about a point in time. Look at the following examples;

I have lived in Spain since 1999
She has been working in the office since 2006
I haven’t eaten since 8 am
I have owned this car since 19 December

In these examples SINCE is always followed by a number, a date or a time. But don’t forget you can also use since with the following;

Since last year
Since last week
Since this morning
Since this afternoon
Since last night

Remember: FOR is used when talking about a UNIT of time and SINCE for a PERIOD of time.

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