Present perfect with for and since
Definition
The present perfect commonly uses for to give a length of time and since to identify when a situation began. The situation normally continues up to the present or remains relevant now.
subject + have / has + past participle + for / since ...
Examples
-
I have lived here for six years.
For six years gives the duration of a situation continuing to now.
-
Mara has worked remotely since 2023.
Since 2023 gives the starting point.
-
We haven't seen them for a long time.
The period without contact extends to the present.
For vs. since
They have been friends for ten years.
The phrase answers How long?
They have been friends since primary school.
The phrase answers Since when?
For is followed by a period of time. Since is followed by the point when that period began.
A finished period usually takes the past simple
When the duration belongs entirely to a finished past period, the past simple is normally used instead of the present perfect.
-
I lived in Osaka for two years, but I left in 2020.
The two-year period is finished and separated from now.
-
She worked there from 2018 to 2021.
Both limits belong to a completed past period.
Common mistakes
I have known him since five years.
I have known him for five years.
Use for with a duration.
She has lived here for 2022.
She has lived here since 2022.
Use since with a starting point.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses for?
Forty minutes is a duration, so for is correct.Which sentence correctly uses since?
March identifies a starting point, so since is correct.Which sentence describes a completely finished past period?
The school period is finished, so the past simple studied is natural.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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