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English grammar

for and since

A2 · Elementary Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

When something started in the past and is still true now, English uses have/has + the third form with for or since. for gives the length of time — for three years, for two days. since gives the point it started — since Monday, since 2019. The present simple is wrong here: I live here for three years does not mean what it looks like.

Pattern

for + a length of time · since + a point in time · I have lived here for three years / since 2022.

Examples

  1. I have lived here for three years.

  2. She has worked at the school since September.

  3. We have not seen them since the wedding.

  4. How long have you had this pain?

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I live here since 2022.

    Right: I have lived here since 2022.

    Something that started earlier and still holds takes have + the third form.

  • Wrong: I have worked here since three years.

    Right: I have worked here for three years.

    A length of time takes for, not since.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    I have known her _____ ten years.

    1. for
    2. from
    3. during
    4. since
    Show answer

    Answer: A I have known her for ten years.

    A length of time takes for.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    He has been ill _____ Tuesday.

    1. from
    2. in
    3. since
    4. for
    Show answer

    Answer: C He has been ill since Tuesday.

    A starting point takes since.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    We _____ lived in this flat for two years.

    1. has
    2. did
    3. are
    4. have
    Show answer

    Answer: D We have lived in this flat for two years.

    we takes have.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    She has _____ at the pharmacy since March.

    1. works
    2. working
    3. work
    4. worked
    Show answer

    Answer: D She has worked at the pharmacy since March.

    The third form after has.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    How long _____ you had the car?

    1. have
    2. has
    3. did
    4. do
    Show answer

    Answer: A How long have you had the car?

    you takes have.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I have had this cough for a week.
    2. I had this cough for a week and still have it.
    3. I have this cough for a week.
    4. I am having this cough for a week.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I have had this cough for a week.

    Still true now, so have + the third form.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. They have been here for Monday.
    2. They have been here since Monday.
    3. They were here since Monday.
    4. They are here since Monday.
    Show answer

    Answer: B They have been here since Monday.

    Monday is a point, so since.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. She works here since 2021.
    2. She has worked here since 2021.
    3. She has worked here for two years.
    4. She started work here in 2021.
    Show answer

    Answer: A She works here since 2021.

    since needs the perfect, not the present simple.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. We waited for two hours yesterday.
    2. We have waited since two o clock.
    3. We have waited for two hours.
    4. We have waited since two hours.
    Show answer

    Answer: D We have waited since two hours.

    A duration takes for.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    I have lived here for six months

    Show answer

    Answer: I have lived here for six months.

    have, the third form, then for and the length.

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