For or Since: How to Use For and Since in English Sentences

For or since? Learn the difference between these English prepositions? This English lesson will explain the difference between them with example sentences.

For or Since

How to use for and since with the present perfect tense in English.

How to Use For

• FOR + period of time
• FOR + number + time word

Examples:

• 5 minutes
• 2 weeks
• 6 days
• 7 months
• 10 years
• 2 centuries
• A half-hour
• A while
• A long-time
• Ever

Example Sentences:

• We’ve been talking for 30 minutes.
• It’s rained for a week.
• I’ve trained for two months.
• He’s been off work for a while.

How to Use Since

• SINCE + starting point
• SINCE + a time or a date

Examples:

• 6 o’clock
• 2nd June
• Thursday
• March
• 1995
• 1991
• I was young
• The beginning of time

Example Sentences:

• We’ve been waiting here since 2 o’clock.
• He has been living in Paris since 2008.
• He has grown since I last saw him.
• Sarah’s been sick since Friday.

Difference between For and Since | Infographic

When to Use For or Since