Since vs For: A Clear Guide to Using These Prepositions with 40 Examples

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Since vs For: Introduction

Confused about when to use since vs for in English? These two prepositions are often misused, but understanding their distinct roles can elevate your grammar game. Whether you’re a student, professional, or English learner, knowing the difference between since vs for is key to clear communication. In this guide, we’ll break down the rules for using since (for starting points) and for (for duration), supported by 40 practical examples—20 for each preposition. Let’s dive into mastering since vs for and make your English shine!

When to Use “Since” in English

The preposition since marks the starting point of an action or event that continues to the present or a specific time. It’s used with a specific moment, like a date or event (e.g., “since 2020” or “since yesterday”). Since is typically paired with the present perfect tense to show ongoing actions. Understanding since vs for starts with recognizing that since focuses on when something began.

Key Points for “Since”:

• Used for a specific point in time (e.g., “since Monday”).
• Common in present perfect tense (e.g., “have been”).
• Example: “She has been studying since morning” (started in the morning, still ongoing).

20 Examples of “Since”:

1. I’ve been studying since morning. (Started this morning, still studying)
2. She has lived here since 2015. (From 2015 to now)
3. We haven’t met since last summer. (From last summer onward)
4. He’s been sick since Monday. (Started Monday, still sick)
5. They have been married since June. (From June to present)
6. The shop has been open since 8 a.m. (Opened at 8 a.m., still open)
7. I’ve known her since we were kids. (From childhood to now)
8. It has been raining since yesterday. (Started yesterday, still raining)
9. He hasn’t slept since the party. (From the party onward)
10. She’s been working here since last year. (From last year to now)
11. The car hasn’t worked since the accident. (From the accident onward)
12. We’ve been friends since college. (From college days to now)
13. I’ve been waiting since noon. (Started at noon, still waiting)
14. They haven’t spoken since the argument. (From the argument onward)
15. The team has been winning since the new coach arrived. (From the coach’s arrival)
16. She has been learning Spanish since January. (From January to now)
17. I haven’t seen him since he moved away. (From the time he moved)
18. The rules have changed since last month. (From last month onward)
19. He’s been happy since he got the job. (From getting the job to now)
20. We’ve been traveling since last week. (From last week to present)

When to Use “For” in English

The preposition for describes the duration of an action or event. It’s used with a period of time, like “two hours” or “three years.” Unlike since, which pinpoints a start time, for focuses on how long something lasts. For can be used with various tenses (past, present, or perfect). Mastering since vs for means understanding that for is about time length.

Key Points for “For”:

• Used for a duration of time (e.g., “for two hours”).
• Works with past, present, or perfect tenses.
• Example: “She has been studying for three hours” (duration of three hours).

20 Examples of “For”:

1. I have been studying for three hours. (Duration of three hours)
2. She lived there for five years. (Duration of five years)
3. We waited for a long time. (Duration of waiting)
4. He was sick for a week. (Duration of one week)
5. They have been married for ten years. (Duration of ten years)
6. The shop was open for two hours. (Duration of two hours)
7. I worked there for a month. (Duration of one month)
8. It rained for two days. (Duration of two days)
9. He slept for eight hours. (Duration of eight hours)
10. She has been working for a decade. (Duration of ten years)
11. The car was broken for a week. (Duration of one week)
12. We were friends for years. (Duration of many years)
13. I waited for an hour. (Duration of one hour)
14. They argued for a few minutes. (Duration of a few minutes)
15. The team practiced for two months. (Duration of two months)
16. She studied Spanish for six months. (Duration of six months)
17. I was away for a weekend. (Duration of a weekend)
18. The rules were in place for a year. (Duration of one year)
19. He was happy for a moment. (Duration of a short time)
20. We traveled for a week. (Duration of one week)

Since vs For: Key Differences

To master since vs for, remember:

• Since = Starting point (e.g., “since 9 a.m.” focuses on when it began).
• For = Duration (e.g., “for two hours” focuses on how long).
• Both can be used in negative sentences (e.g., “haven’t seen him since Monday” vs. “haven’t seen him for days”).
• Example comparison:
• “I’ve been here since 9 a.m.” (Emphasizes the start time).
• “I’ve been here for two hours.” (Emphasizes the length of time).

Conclusion

Understanding since vs for is a game-changer for clear and confident English communication. By using since for starting points and for for durations, you can avoid common grammar mistakes and express time accurately. The 40 examples (20 for since and 20 for for) in this guide provide practical insights to apply these prepositions in real-life scenarios. Practice using since vs for in your writing and conversations, and you’ll soon master these essential prepositions!

Also Read: Active and Passive Voice Examples For All Tenses With Answers – Complete Guide

Active and Passive Voice Rules for All Tenses: A Comprehensive Guide

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