Using Since And For

The prepositions since and for are commonly used with the present perfect and perfect continuous tenses.

Use since to say when something begins. Example: since Monday, since last year, since morning etc.

Use for to say how long something lasts. Example: for two hours, for two years, for two weeks, for a long time etc.

Read the example given below.

• The baby started sleeping at 4 o'clock. She is still sleeping. It is now 6 o'clock.

Here we are talking about a situation that started in the past and has continued up to the present. We can combine these three sentences into one in two different ways.

• The baby has been sleeping since 4 o'clock. OR The baby has been sleeping for two hours.

Combine the following sentences using since or for.

1. Rahul arrived in Mumbai in 2003. He has lived in Mumbai for ten years. He is still living there.

2. I started working on this project last month. I am still working on it.

3. I started waiting for him in the morning. He hasn't arrived yet. I am still waiting for him.

4. I started living in this street in 1995. I am still living here.

5. He started looking for a job after he finished his studies. He hasn't found a job yet. He is still looking for a job.

Answers

1. Rahul has been living in Mumbai since 2003. OR Rahul has been living in Mumbai for ten years.

2. I have been working on this project since last month. OR I have been working on this project for one month.

3. I have been waiting for him since morning. OR I have been waiting for him for a long time.

4. I have been living in this street since 1995. OR I have been living in this street for 18 years.

5. He has been looking for a job since he finished his studies.

Notes

Both present perfect and present perfect continuous tenses can be used to talk about actions or situations that started in the past and have continued up to the moment of speaking. There is no difference of meaning.

I have been living in this street for ten years. = I have lived in this street for ten years.