This document discusses the use of the present perfect tense with "for" or "since" to talk about actions or states that began in the past and continue in the present. It provides examples of using the present perfect with "for" to indicate a period of time, and "since" to indicate the beginning point of that period. Key differences between the present perfect and present simple tenses are also outlined.

1. Present Perfect + for or
since
ON LINE COURSE – LEVEL 6
LABORATORIO DE IDIOMAS – FACULTAD DE FILOSOFÍA Y LETRAS
UBA

2. When do we
use the Present
Perfect with
for or since?
 We use the Present Perfect + for or since to talk about
actions and states which started in the past and are still
true now.
 E.g. I have lived in Manchester for twenty years. = I came to
Manchester twenty years ago and I live in Manchester now.

3. When do we
use the
Present
Perfect with
for or since?
 Don’t use the Present Simple in this type of sentece, e.g.
NOT I live in Manchester for twenty years.
 Use How long…? to ask questions about the duration of
an action or a state.
E.g. How long have you lived in Manchester?

4. For
or
Since?
 Use for + a period of time.
E.g. for two weeks; for ten years; for a long time; etc.
I have had this car for three months.
 Use since with the beginning of a period of time.
E.g. since 1980; since last June; etc.
I have been afraid of spiders since I was a child.

5. Examples
 A How long have you worked in this school?
B I’ve worked here since 2005. / for ten years now.
 They have been married for 5 years.
 He has been in the USA since last October.
 We have known Sally since we were at school.
 A How long have you had your dog?
B I’ve had it for a year.