For vs. Since: Rules, Examples, and Practice Exercises

We have said, therefore, that the substantial difference between for and since is not in the meaning, but in the intention of what is wanted to express: since is used to indicate the moment of the beginning of an action, while for is used to express the duration of an action.

That is, we could potentially structure the same sentence using both, for example:

• I have lived in France since 2000.
• I have lived in France for 24 years.

Having clarified this, let's now look at 20 examples of sentences with for and since to better define the concept.

Let's start with since :

1. I have lived here since 2010.
   (Vivo qui dal 2010.)
2. Shehas been working at that company since March.
3. He has been
   my friend since childhood.
4. They have been
   studying English since last year.
5. We have known each other
   since we were kids.
6. The
   project has been in progress since June.
7. I have been waiting for you since this morning.
   (Ti aspetto da questa mattina.)
8. She has been on
   a diet since last Monday.
9. He has been driving
   since he was 18.
10. We have been
    married since 2005.

And now, let's look at the examples with for :

1. I have lived here
   for ten years .
2. She
   has been working at that company for six months.
3. He has been
   my friend for a long time.
4. They have been studying English for two years.
   (Studiano inglese da due anni.)
5. We have known each other
   for over a decade.
6. The
   project has been in progress for three months.
7. I have been waiting for you for an hour.
   (Ti aspetto da un'ora.)
8. She has been on a diet for two weeks.
   (Lei è a dieta da due settimane.)
9. He has been driving for twenty years.
   (Guida da vent'anni.)
10. We have been
    married for fifteen years.

Theory explained, examples explored in detail: think that's it? Of course not: now it's your turn!

After all, there's no better way to learn a language than to practice it, get involved, and try to apply the grammatical rules you've studied in theory.

Here are some exercises with for and since to practice using them and have no trouble using them correctly, even in spoken English. No one is judging you; there's no grade, so don't peek at the solutions at the end of the lesson; instead, use this opportunity to test yourself and make sure your new knowledge is solidly consolidated.

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences with "for" or "since"

1. I have been living in this city ______ five years.
2. She has worked at the hospital ______ 2015. → She has been working at the hospital since 2015.
3. They have been married ______ 20 years. → They have been married for twenty years.
4. We have known each other since we were in high school.
5. He has been playing the guitar ______ he was ten. → He has been playing the guitar since he was ten.
6. The shop has been open ______ early this morning.
7. I have been waiting ______ half an hour. → Ti aspetto da mezz'ora.
8. She has been practicing yoga ______ last month.
9. The company has been in business for ______ three decades.
10. He has been on a diet ______ last summer.

Exercise 2 : Correct the error in the following sentences

1. I have lived in Paris for three years.
2. She has been studying Spanish since she was a child.
3. They have known each other for 2002. → Si conoscono dal 2002.
4. We have been here since two hours. → Siamo qui da due ore.
5. He has been working in this office since he graduated.

Exercise 3: Transform the sentences

1. She started working here in 2018. → She has been working here since 2018.
   → She has been working here since 2018.
2. I arrived at the party two hours ago. → Sono arrivata alla festa due ore fa.
   → I have been at the party ______ two hours.
3. The meeting started at 10 AM. → Il meeting è iniziato alle 10.
   → We have been in the meeting ______ 10 AM.
4. They moved to New York five years ago. → Si sono trasferiti a New York cinque anni fa.
   → They have lived in New York ______ five years.
5. He became the manager in March. → È diventato il manager a marzo.
   → He has been the manager ______ March.

Exercise 4 : Choose the correct option

1. I've been studying English (for/since) two years.
2. She's been living in London (for/since) last September.
3. They've been friends (for/since) a long time.
4. We've been here (for/since) half an hour.
5. He's been sick (for/since) last week.

Solutions

1. Exercise 1:
   1. for
   2. since
   3. for
   4. since
   5. since
   6. since
   7. for
   8. since
   9. for
   10. since
2. Exercise 2:
   1. I have lived in Paris for three years.
   2. She has been studying Spanish since she was a child.
   3. They have known each other since 2002.
   4. We have been here for two hours.
   5. He has been working in this office since he graduated.
3. Exercise 3:
   1. since
   2. for
   3. since
   4. for
   5. since
4. Exercise 4:
   1. for
   2. since
   3. for
   4. for
   5. since

How did it go? If you think the topic is completely clear, don't hesitate to join us in the next lesson: we'll cover irregular verbs in English, their characteristics, a table, and their translations!