Lesson 3 - Present Perfect with For and Since

This lesson focuses on two small but important words: for and since. Both are used with the Present Perfect to talk about how long a situation has continued.

Learning objective

By the end of this lesson, you will correctly use for with a length of time and since with a starting point, and form Present Perfect sentences about duration, with at least 80% accuracy.

1. For a length of time, since a starting point

For is followed by a length or amount of time. Since is followed by a point in time when something started.

• I have lived in this city for six years.
• I have lived in this city since 2018.

Both sentences can describe the same situation, but they measure it differently: one counts the duration, the other names the starting point.

2. States that continue up to now

The Present Perfect with for/since typically describes a state or situation that began in the past and continues now. This is different from a completed action.

• I have known him for ten years. (We are still friends now.)
• I have had this car since last year. (I still have it.)

Common state verbs used this way include know, have, live, work, own, believe, and like.

3. How long...? questions

To ask about duration, use How long have/has...?

4. Vocabulary for this lesson

5. Guided speaking practice

Ask and answer with a partner using How long...?

• How long have you lived in your current home?
• How long have you known your best friend?
• How long have you studied English?
• How long has your favorite shop been open?

6. Guided listening practice

Listen to each sentence and write F if it uses for or S if it uses since.

1. I have worked here for three years.
2. She has lived in Bandung since 2015.
3. We have known each other since childhood.
4. He has owned that car for a decade.
5. They have studied English for six months.
6. I have believed that since I was young.

7. Controlled practice

Complete each sentence with for or since.

1. I have lived here ___ 2017.
2. She has worked at the hospital ___ five years.
3. We have been friends ___ we were children.
4. He has owned this shop ___ a long time.
5. They have known the answer ___ Monday.

Answer key: 1. since 2. for 3. since 4. for 5. since

8. Independent practice

Write five sentences about things that are still true about your life, using for or since with the Present Perfect. Include at least one question with How long...?

Quick summary

• Use for with a length of time; use since with a starting point.
• The Present Perfect with for/since describes a state that began in the past and continues now.
• How long...? is the standard question for asking about duration.
• State verbs such as know, live, and own are common in this pattern.

Assessment check

Open Practice this lesson and complete all 15 questions. A score of 12 out of 15 meets the 80% lesson target.

Exit ticket

Write one true sentence about yourself using for, and one using since.

Homework

1. Write six sentences about your own life using for and since correctly, three of each.
2. Interview a family member or friend with three How long...? questions and record their answers in full sentences.
3. Correct these three sentences: "I have lived here since five years." / "She has worked there for 2019." / "We have known him since a long time."