For and Since for Time We often use for and since when talking about
time. for + period A period is a duration of time, for example: 5 minutes, 2 weeks,
6 years. For means "from the beginning of the period until the
end of the period." For can be used with all tenses. since + point A point is a precise moment in time, for example: 9 o'clock, 1st
January, Monday. Since means "from a point in the past until
now." Since is normally used with perfect tenses. for
a
period
(from start
to end)
>===< | since
a
point
(up to
now)
·===>| | for 20 minutes
for three days
for 6
months
for 4 years
for 2 centuries
for a long time
for
ever
etc | since 9am
since Monday
since
January
since 1997
since 1500
since I left school
since the
beginning of time
etc | | all tenses | perfect tenses
only | For can be used with all tenses. Here are a few
examples:  | Both for and since also have other
meanings, with no reference to time. Here are some examples: - This is for you.
- Is this the train for London?
- Since you ask, I'll say yes.
- Since he didn't study he didn't pass the
exam.
| | - They study for two hours every day.
- They are studying for three hours today.
- He has lived in Bangkok for a long time.
- He has been living in Paris for three months.
- I worked at that bank for five years.
- Will the universe continue for ever?
For is NOT used with "all day", "all the time" etc. - I was there all day. (not *for all day)
Since is normally used with perfect tenses: - He has been here since 9am.
- He has been working since he arrived.
- I had lived in New York since my childhood.
Since can also be used in the structure "It is
[period] since...": - It is a year since I saw her.
- How long is it since you got married?
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