Nilesh Lokhande

Since vs for: A Clear Guide to Understanding the Difference

If you’re learning English, you’ve likely come across the words “since” and “for.” They both relate to time but using them incorrectly can change the meaning of a sentence or make it sound unnatural. This blog post will help you to understand difference between since vs for. understand when and how to use “since” and “for” with simple explanations and examples.

Understanding “Since”

Used to refer to the starting point of an action or event.

When to Use “Since”

“Since” is used when we want to show the exact point in time something started and is still continuing.

It shows when something began.
Common with the present perfect and present perfect continuous tense.

How to Use “Since” – Step by Step:

Identify the starting point.
Example: 8 AM, 2010, last week, Monday, etc.
Use it with present perfect tense.
✅ Correct: I have lived here since 2010.
❌ Wrong: I live here since 2010.
Common examples:
- She has been studying since morning.
- We have known each other since high school.
- It has been raining since last night.

Understanding “For”

Used to express the duration of time something has been happening.

When to Use “For”

“For” tells how long something has been going on.

Used with periods of time (5 minutes, 2 hours, several years).
Also goes with present perfect and present perfect continuous tense.

How to Use “For” – Step by Step:

Identify the duration.
Example: 2 days, 10 years, a few hours, etc.
Use it to show the total time an activity has lasted.
✅ Correct: She has worked here for five years.
❌ Wrong: She has worked here since five years.
Common examples:
- I have been waiting for 30 minutes.
- They have lived in London for a long time.
- He has been playing guitar for 6 months.

Quick Comparison Table

Use	Since	For
Shows starting point	✅	❌
Shows duration	❌	✅
Used with dates and times	✅ (since 1999)	❌
Used with time lengths	❌	✅ (for 10 years)

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between “since” and “for” is essential for clear and accurate communication in English. Just remember:

Use “since” to mark the starting point of an action.
Use “for” to describe the duration of an action.

Practice using them in your sentences every day, and soon it’ll become second nature!