Understanding the Use of “since” and “for” in English Grammar
In English, “since” and “for” are commonly used to indicate time, but they serve different purposes and can be confusing for students. Let’s break down their uses so that you can understand when to use them effectively.
1. Using “since”
“Since” is used to indicate a specific time that an action or situation began. Usually, it is used for true ideal tension or complete past stress. There are several examples here:
example:
– \ “I have lived here since 2010. \
– \ “She studied French since childhood. \
In these sentences, \ “emphasizes the starting point of action or situation. It answers the question “Since when?” »
2. **Use “for”**
“For,” on the other hand, is used to indicate the duration of an action or situation. This tells us how long something has been happening. \”for\” can also be used with the present perfect or past perfect. Here are some examples:
Since And For use
| For | Since |
| Common time | Proper time |
| Hour | 2pm |
| Day | Monday |
| Month | July |
| Year | 2024 |
| Event | Wedding, Birthday. |
– **Examples**:
“I’ve lived here for ten years.”
“They’ve been friends for a long time.”
In these cases, “for” indicates the duration, answering the question “for how long?”
3. Quick comparison
– **Since**: refers to a specific starting point (e.g., since 2010, since Monday). – **For**: labels the duration (for example, for two years, for one week).
4. Common Mistakes
It is common for learners to confuse “since” and “for.” Here are some tips to avoid confusion:
Reminder: If you can specify a specific time or date, use “since.” If you can quantify the duration, use “for.”
Practice: Try making sentences with both words to see how they change the meaning.
5. Practical exercise
To strengthen your understanding, there are some sentences to complete here:
1. I worked here for 5 years ___.
2. She has known him since high school.
3. They lived in this city in 2015.
Understanding the Use of “since” and “for” in English Grammar
In English, “since” and “for” are commonly used to indicate time, but they serve different purposes and can be confusing for students. Let’s break down their uses so that you can understand when to use them effectively.
1. Using “since”
“Since” is used to indicate a specific time that an action or situation began. Usually, it is used for true ideal tension or complete past stress. There are several examples here:
Example:
a. I have been writing since 1994.
b. I have lived here since 2010.
c. She studied French since childhood.
d. He has been ill since Saturday .
In these sentences, \ “emphasizes the starting point of action or situation. It answers the question “Since when?” »
2. **Use “for”**
“For,” on the other hand, is used to indicate the duration of an action or situation. This tells us how long something has been happening. \”for\” can also be used with the present perfect or past perfect. Here are some examples:
Examples:
a. I’ve lived here for ten years.
b. He has been ill for 5 days.
c. It has been raining for three hours.
d. They’ve been friends for a long time.
In these cases, “for” indicates the duration, answering the question “for how long?”
3. Quick comparison
– **Since**: refers to a specific starting point (e.g., since 2010, since Monday). – **For**: labels the duration (for example, for two years, for one week).
4. Common Mistakes
It is common for learners to confuse “since” and “for.” Here are some tips to avoid confusion:
Reminder: If you can specify a specific time or date, use “since.” If you can quantify the duration, use “for.”
Practice: Try making sentences with both words to see how they change the meaning.
5. Practical exercise
To strengthen your understanding, there are some sentences to complete here:
1. I worked here for 5 years ___.
2. She has known him since high school.
3. They lived in this city in 2015.
Answers:
1. for
2. since
3.since
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “since” and “for” can greatly improve your English grammar skills. Understanding the difference between the starting point and the period can express a clearer and precise concept. As soon as you continue training, you will immediately use these conditions as experts!:
1. for
2. since
3.since
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “since” and “for” can greatly improve your English grammar skills. Understanding the difference between the starting point and the period can express a clearer and precise concept. As soon as you continue training, you will immediately use these conditions as experts!