Mastering the Present Perfect with For and Since

Welcome to your guide on using the Present Perfect tense with for and since! Understanding these concepts is essential for expressing time in English. Whether you're a beginner or just brushing up on your skills, this article will help you grasp the rules and usage of the Present Perfect tense. Let's dive in!

Understanding the Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect tense is used to describe actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past and are still relevant or have an effect in the present. It is formed using the auxiliary verb have (or has for he, she, it) + the past participle of the main verb.

Using For and Since

When we talk about time in the Present Perfect tense, we often use for and since. Here’s how to use them:

For is used to indicate a duration of time.
Since is used to indicate a specific point in time.

Formulas

Usage	Formula
For	Subject + have/has + past participle + for + duration
Since	Subject + have/has + past participle + since + point in time

Examples of Correct vs Incorrect Usage

Here are some examples to illustrate the correct and incorrect usage of for and since in the Present Perfect tense:

✅ I have lived here for five years.
❌ I have lived here since five years.
✅ She has worked at the company since 2010.
❌ She has worked at the company for 2010.
✅ They have known each other for a long time.
❌ They have known each other since a long time.
✅ He has been studying English for two months.
❌ He has been studying English since two months.
✅ We have visited Paris since last summer.
❌ We have visited Paris for last summer.
✅ I have played the guitar for ten years.
❌ I have played the guitar since ten years.
✅ She has been my friend since childhood.
❌ She has been my friend for childhood.
✅ They have lived in this city for three years.
❌ They have lived in this city since three years.
✅ He has worked here since 2015.
❌ He has worked here for 2015.
✅ We have been waiting for an hour.
❌ We have been waiting since an hour.

Pro Tip: Remember, use for with durations (e.g., for two weeks) and since with specific points in time (e.g., since Monday).

Conclusion

Understanding how to use the Present Perfect tense with for and since is crucial for effective communication in English. Practice these rules and examples to improve your grammar skills. Keep exploring and practicing, and soon you'll master this important aspect of English grammar!