Sentences with “Since” and “For”
Hello everyone!
Today, we’re diving into a topic that can sometimes leave us scratching our heads: the difference between “since” and “for” in English.
These two little words might seem similar, but they actually have distinct roles in our sentences.
Don’t worry, though! By the end of this blog, you’ll be using “since” and “for” like a pro.
Understanding “Since” and “For”
Let’s start with the basics. Both “since” and “for” are used to talk about duration or time. However, they are used in slightly different contexts.
“Since”
“Since” is used to indicate when a specific point in time started. This point could be in the past or present.
Example:
- I have been studying English since 2010.
In this sentence, “since 2010” tells us when the action (studying English) started.
“For”
“For,” on the other hand, is used to indicate the duration of time that an action has been happening. It’s often followed by a period of time.
Example:
- I have been studying English for ten years.
Here, “for ten years” tells us how long the action (studying English) has been happening.
Also read:
- Examples of Pronouns in Sentences
- Use of Might l Sentences with Might
- Use of “Can” and Sentences with “Can”
- 250 Most Common Daily Routines in English
How to Use “Since” and “For” Correctly
Now that we understand the basic difference between “since” and “for,” let’s explore some guidelines on how to use them correctly.
“Since”
- Use “since” when referring to a specific point in time.
- It’s commonly used with specific dates, times, or events.
- “Since” is often used with the present perfect tense.
Examples:
- I have been living in this city since 2015.
- She has been my friend since we were kids.
- They haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.
“For”
- Use “for” when referring to a duration of time.
- It’s often followed by a period of time, such as hours, days, months, or years.
- “For” is also commonly used with the present perfect tense.
Examples:
- He has been working for eight hours straight.
- We’ve been waiting for the bus for twenty minutes.
- They’ve been married for fifty years.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning a new language can be tricky, and even small words like “since” and “for” can trip us up.
Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
Confusing “since” with “for”
Make sure you’re clear on whether you’re referring to a specific point in time (use “since”) or a duration of time (use “for”).
Incorrect tense usage
Both “since” and “for” are often used with the present perfect tense. Make sure your verb tense matches the rest of your sentence.
Forgetting to include the duration
When using “for,” don’t forget to include the period of time that has passed. This helps clarify the duration of the action.
Practice Makes Perfect
As with any aspect of language learning, practice is key to mastering the use of “since” and “for.”
Write your own sentences:
- Think of three different events in your life and write sentences using “since” to describe when they started.
- Think of three different activities you’ve done recently and write sentences using “for” to describe how long you did each activity.
Conclusion
Hope you’ve mastered the difference between “since” and “for” in English.
Remember, “since” is used for specific points in time, while “for” is used for durations of time.
Keep practicing, and soon using these words correctly will become second nature.
Now, let’s move onto sentences with “since” and “for”
Here are simple and short sentences using “since” and “for”:
Read more:
- 150 English Phrases for Conversations
- Simple English Sentences You Can Use Daily
- English Sentences Used in Daily Life
- English Sentences with LEST
- Examples of Adjectives in Sentences
Sentences using “since”: 1
I’ve been waiting for you since morning.
She’s been learning French since last year.
They’ve been friends since childhood.
He’s been working on the project since Monday.
We’ve been living in this house since 2010.
Sentences using “for”: 1
She practiced piano for two hours.
They’ve been married for twenty years.
He’s been studying for the exam all day.
We’ve been on vacation for a week.
The bakery has been closed for renovation since last month.
Sentences using “since”: 2
I’ve been exercising regularly since January.
She’s been feeling unwell since yesterday.
They’ve been saving money since they got married.
He’s been playing the guitar since he was a teenager.
We’ve been waiting for the bus since 3 p.m.
Sentences using “for”: 2
She’s been studying for her exam for three hours.
They’ve been traveling for two weeks.
He’s been working on his novel for a year.
We’ve been friends for a long time.
The store has been closed for renovations for a month.
Sentences using “since”: 3
I’ve been practicing yoga since I moved to this city.
She’s been volunteering at the animal shelter since last summer.
They’ve been attending the same school since kindergarten.
He’s been studying English since he enrolled in the language course.
We’ve been using the new software since it was installed on our computers.
Sentences using “for”: 3
She’s been cooking dinner for her family for an hour.
They’ve been working on the project for three days straight.
He’s been waiting for his friend at the cafe for twenty minutes.
We’ve been living in this neighborhood for ten years.
The restaurant has been serving delicious food for decades.
Sentences using “since”: 4
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was in elementary school.
She’s been playing the piano since she was five years old.
They’ve been attending the same church since they moved to the town.
He’s been practicing meditation since he started feeling stressed.
We’ve been using solar panels since we decided to go green.
Sentences using “for”: 4
She’s been studying for her final exams for weeks.
They’ve been saving money for their dream vacation for months.
He’s been working on his car for the entire afternoon.
We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember.
The shop has been closed for renovations for a couple of weeks.
Sentences using “since”: 5
I’ve been living in this apartment since last summer.
She’s been practicing yoga since she started feeling stressed.
They’ve been dating since they met at college.
He’s been studying for his exams since yesterday.
We’ve been using this new software since it was released.
Sentences using “for”: 5
She’s been waiting for her friend for half an hour.
They’ve been working on the project for a few months now.
He’s been running for exercise for years.
We’ve been married for ten years.
The restaurant has been serving delicious food for generations.
Sentences using “since”: 6
I’ve been learning to play the guitar since I was a child.
She’s been studying French since she enrolled in the language course.
They’ve been living in the same neighborhood since they got married.
He’s been working on his novel since the beginning of the year.
We’ve been using the new software since it was introduced last month.
Sentences using “for”: 6
She’s been working on her thesis for several months.
They’ve been saving money for a trip around the world for years.
He’s been waiting for the bus for twenty minutes.
We’ve been friends for a decade.
The museum has been open for visitors for over a century.
Sentences using “since”: 7
I’ve been playing basketball since I was a kid.
She’s been living in London since she graduated from university.
They’ve been attending the same school since kindergarten.
He’s been interested in astronomy since he got his first telescope.
We’ve been using smartphones since they became popular.
Sentences using “for”: 7
She’s been working on her painting for hours.
They’ve been saving money for a down payment on a house for years.
He’s been studying for his English exam for weeks.
We’ve been living in this city for a decade.
The shop has been closed for renovations for months.
Sentences using “since”: 8
I’ve been swimming since I was a child.
She’s been working as a teacher since she graduated from college.
They’ve been going to the gym together since they became friends.
He’s been interested in photography since he received his first camera.
We’ve been using social media since we got internet access.
Sentences using “for”: 8
She’s been preparing for the exam for weeks.
They’ve been saving money for a new car for a long time.
He’s been waiting for his appointment for an hour.
We’ve been friends for many years.
The store has been closed for lunch for thirty minutes.
Sentences using “since”: 9
I’ve been studying English since I started high school.
She’s been practicing the piano since she was a little girl.
They’ve been living in their current house since they got married.
He’s been interested in art since he visited a museum as a child.
We’ve been using the new software since it was released last week.
Sentences using “for”: 9
She’s been jogging for thirty minutes every morning.
They’ve been saving money for their wedding for a year.
He’s been waiting for the bus for ten minutes.
We’ve been together for three years.
The restaurant has been closed for renovations for two months.
Sentences using “since”: 10
I’ve been practicing yoga since I started college.
She’s been studying Korean since she became interested in K-pop.
They’ve been living in their apartment since they moved to the city.
He’s been playing the guitar since he was a teenager.
We’ve been using the new software since it was installed on our computers.
Sentences using “for”: 10
She’s been working on her project for two hours.
They’ve been saving money for their vacation for months.
He’s been waiting for his friend for twenty minutes.
We’ve been friends for a long time.
The shop has been closed for lunch for thirty minutes.
Sentences using “since”: 11
I’ve been reading this book series since last summer.
She’s been practicing the guitar since she received it as a gift.
They’ve been attending the same yoga class since January.
He’s been interested in astronomy since he got a telescope for his birthday.
We’ve been using the same coffee machine since we moved into this house.
She’s been studying for her exam for three hours straight.
They’ve been saving money for their wedding for a year now.
He’s been waiting for his appointment for half an hour.
We’ve been neighbors for five years.
The store has been closed for maintenance for the entire morning.
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