Since and for (in the present perfect tense)

SINCE AND FOR IN THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

SINCE

Since is used for:

• start of the time
• a particular time

Since Monday

start of the time

Monday

Present

Past

SINCE CAN BE USED WITH ............

9 o’clock

a month ago

April 4th

last weekend

2001

Since

Christmas

12:30

I came to

Buffalo

SAMPLE SENTENCES WITH SINCE

I have been in the office since 9 o’clock .

I have lived in Buffalo since 2006 .

She has known John since December 12th .

We haven’t taken a test since last week .

I have had a driving license since I was 18 .

They have taken this class since January .

It hasn’t snowed since two weeks ago .

FOR

For is used for:

• a period of time
• a duration of time

For four days

1 2 3 4

Past

Present

FOR CAN BE USED WITH ………….

an hour

a long time

two weeks

ten seconds

a month

For

a decade

five years

ten minutes

SAMPLE SENTENCES WITH FOR

I have waited for my friend for an hour .

I have studied English for a month .

It hasn’t snowed for more than two weeks .

Have you been in Buffalo for a long time ?

She has been in Canada for five years .

They haven’t slept for a whole day .

I have talked with my mother for 10 minutes .

LET’S COMPARE SINCE WITH FOR !

I have had this book _______ March 1 st .

I have had this book _______ two weeks.

I have been in Buffalo _______ 2006.

I have been in Buffalo _______ half a year.

I have known him _______ a month ago.

I have known him _______ a month.

WRITE A PARAGRAPH!

Submit a paragraph on what you have done and did after you came to Buffalo.

• Use the past tense for finished action.
• Use the present perfect for what occurred in the past and continues up to now.
• Write at least 5 sentences for your paragraph.