Using Since and For

Use since + (a specific time) like March 31, or 9:19 a.m., or Tuesday.Examples:

I have been studying English since 1993.
John has helped me since 10:00 this morning.
Those people have been in Europe since August.

Note: Because we are talking about a time in the past until now, we have to use have/has + past participle when we use since.

Use for + (a length of time) like 1 day, or 3 hours, or 5 years.
Examples:

I have been studying English for 4 years.
John has helped me for 8 hours.
Those people went to Europe for 2 months.


Note: It is possible to use the past tense when you use for if the action is finished.

Check Your UnderstandingChoose the correct answer. Check your answers below.
1. Leslie has lived here          ______          since         for          ten years.
2. I haven't seen you          ______          since         for          last March.
3. We sat and talked          ______          since         for          30 minutes.
4. Young-eun studied French          ______          since         for          nine years.
5. Caroline has been learning Spanish          ______          since         for          March 1999.
6. We haven't had an earthquake          ______          since         for          23 years.
7. I haven't heard from you          ______          since         for          Saturday.
8. Molly hasn't eaten          ______          since         for          7:00 this morning.
9. He played basketball          ______          since         for          over 20 years.
10. Andre hasn't seen Becky          ______         since          for          yesterday.