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Grammar Worksheet

Present Perfect: For and Since

A2–B1 have / has + past participle with for and since
Explanation

Use the present perfect for a situation that started in the past and continues now.

Use for with a length of time: for two years, for three days.

Use since with a starting point: since 2020, since Monday, since I was a child.

Form
SubjectVerb phraseTime expression
I / you / we / theyhave lived herefor five years.
he / she / ithas worked theresince January.
negativehave not / has not beenhere for long.

For = how long. Since = when it started.

Do not use present simple for unfinished situations: I have known her for years.

Examples
  1. I have lived in this town for six years.
  2. She has worked here since 2021.
  3. We have known each other since school.
  4. They have been married for ten years.
  5. He has had that car since March.
  6. I have not seen him for a long time.
  7. How long have you studied English?
  8. My parents have lived here since I was born.
Common Mistakes
Exercises
1 For or since

Write for or since.

_____ two months → for two months

  1. 2018
  2. three weeks
  3. last summer
  4. I was ten
  5. a long time
2 Correct the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

  1. I know Maria since 2015.
  2. He has lived here since five years.
  3. They have been friends for primary school.
  4. How long do you have this phone?
3 Complete the sentences

Use the present perfect form of the verb in brackets.

  1. She (work) at this school since September.
  2. I (not / see) him for two weeks.
  3. We (live) in this flat for a year.
  4. How long you (know) your best friend?
  5. They (be) together since university.
4 Make questions

Write questions with How long.

you / live here → How long have you lived here?

  1. she / work there
  2. they / know each other
  3. you / have your phone
  4. he / be a teacher
5 About you

Write true sentences with for and since.

  1. I have lived ...
  2. I have studied English ...
  3. I have known my best friend ...
  4. My family has ...
Speaking Activity

Ask your partner how long questions.

Answer with for or since, then ask one follow-up question.