B1–B2

Since and For — English Grammar Exercises

I did vs I have done — finally get it right

Since and For with the Present Perfect

The prepositions since and for both appear with the present perfect to describe ongoing situations, but they follow different rules. Learner corpus data from Cambridge shows that since/for confusion is present in roughly 30% of B1–B2 learner essays that use the present perfect, making this one of the most reliable error types at this level.

For — Duration

For is followed by a period of time — a length, not a point:

I've worked here for three years.
He's had that car for ages.
They've been married for six months.

Since — Starting Point

Since is followed by the moment or event when the situation began:

I've worked here since 2021.
She's been ill since Monday.
They've known each other since childhood.
We haven't met since the accident.

When the Situation Has Ended

If the situation is no longer true, switch to past simple: 'He lived there for ten years (then moved away).' The present perfect implies the situation continues to the present.

How Long Questions

How long have you been waiting for the bus? (still waiting now → present perfect continuous)

Common Mistakes

✗ I've worked here since three years. → ✓ I've worked here for three years.
✗ She's been ill for Monday. → ✓ She's been ill since Monday.
✗ She lived here since 2015. → ✓ She has lived here since 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I use present perfect instead of past simple?

Use present perfect (have/has + past participle) when the connection to the present matters: life experience ('Have you ever tried sushi?'), a result relevant now ('I've lost my keys — can you help?'), or an ongoing situation with since/for ('She has lived here since 2015'). Use past simple when you specify a finished time: 'She moved here in 2015', 'I saw him yesterday', 'Did you call last night?'

What is the difference between 'since' and 'for' in the present perfect?

'For' goes with a duration — a length of time: 'for three years', 'for ages', 'for two months'. 'Since' goes with a starting point in time: 'since 2019', 'since Monday', 'since I was a child'. Both appear with present perfect when the situation is still true now: 'I've worked here for three years' (still work there); 'I've worked here since 2019' (same meaning, different framing).

Which words tell me to use present perfect — just, already, yet, ever?

'Just' (= moments ago), 'already' (= earlier than expected), 'yet' (= up to now, used in questions and negatives), and 'ever/never' (= at any time in your life) are all strong signals for present perfect. Contrast these with past simple signals: 'yesterday', 'last week', 'in 2020', 'two hours ago', 'when I was a child' — any expression naming a finished period forces past simple.

What is 'have been to' vs 'have gone to'?

'Have been to' means visited and returned: 'I have been to Paris three times' (I'm not there now). 'Have gone to' means went and has not returned: 'She has gone to Paris' (she is still there). This distinction is one of the highest-frequency errors in learner corpora at B1–B2 level.