Since vs For in English (and How to Never Mix Them Up)
4 min read
A simple, clear explanation of the difference between since and for, with examples, a table and one memory tip that solves it for good.
Both since and for talk about time, which is why they are easy to confuse. But one simple rule sorts it all out.
The rule: duration vs starting point
- for + a length of time: for three days, for two years, for a long time.
- since + a point in time: since Monday, since 2020, since this morning.
Examples
- I have lived here for five years.
- I have lived here since 2021.
- We have been friends for a long time.
Memory tip
If the word could be followed by "ago", it is a point in time, so use since. If it is a length or amount, use for. And they almost always appear with the Present Perfect.