This presentation explains the difference between “since” and “for” when talking about time. Learners will understand that “since” is used to show the starting point of an action (e.g., since 2010, since Monday) and “for” is used to show the duration of an action (e.g., for two years, for a week). The slides include grammar rules, examples, and practice exercises to help students use both words correctly in Present Perfect and other tenses.

1. How long have
you been here?
Let's learn about how long
we do things!

2. Since and For
Since = specific time For = duration
Years (since 1990, since 2005)
Months (since May, since June)
Day (since Monday)
Times (since 7 a.m, since 3 p.m)
Date (since July 4th
)
Event (since the war)
Time expressions (since yesterday)
for 3 years, for 20 years
for 6 months, for 2 months
for 10 days, for a week
for 5 hours, for 30 minutes
for decades, for centuries

3. (They arrived at seven
o’clock.)
(Now, it’s quarter past seven.)
They’ve been here since seven
o’clock.
They’ve been here for a quarter of an
hour.

4. When did you arrive at CIE?
You arrived at ____________
Now it’s ____________
That means
You’ve been here since ____________
You’ve been here for ____________

5. How to Ask a Question
How long + have + you + past participle?
Examples:
🏠How long have you lived here?
📚How long have you studied English?
🎮How long have you played that game?

6. Exercise
Write the questions.
1. How long / you / play / the guitar?
→ __________________________________________________________
2. How long / you / live / in this city?
→ __________________________________________________________
How long + have/has + S + past participle?
3. How long / you / know / your best friend?
→ ___________________________________________
How long have you played the
guitar?
How long have you lived in this
city?
How long have you known your best
friend?

7. Exercise
Complete the sentences using for or since.
1.I’ve lived in this city __________ three years.
2.She has worked at the hospital __________ 2020.
3.We’ve known each other __________ we were children.
4.They’ve had that car __________ ten months.
5.Julia has worn glasses __________ she was ten.
6.I’ve been a teacher __________ fifteen years.
for
since
since
since
for
for

8. Exercise
Complete the interview with the questions in the
box.
Have you ever visited
Italy?
How long have you lived in Italy?
Have you ever visited Italy?
1. ___________________________________________?
Yes, I have. Many times before I moved here.
2. ___________________________________________?
I’ve lived in Rome for twelve years.
How long have you lived in
Italy?

9. Thank
You