What is the Present Perfect Tense?
The Present Perfect tense connects the past and the present. We use it for actions that started in the past and continue now, or for past actions that have a result in the present.
The form is have or has + the past participle of the main verb. For example, I have lived or She has worked.
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Take our FREE Placement TestWhen Do We Use 'For' with the Present Perfect?
We use for to talk about a *duration* or a *period of time*. It answers the question "How long?"
- Use for with a number + a time word: for five years, for three months, for two hours.
- You can also use for with phrases like for a long time or for ages.
Example: They have been married for ten years. (The duration is ten years.)
When Do We Use 'Since' with the Present Perfect?
We use since to talk about a *starting point* in time. It answers the question "When did it start?"
- Use since with a specific year: since 2020.
- Use since with a specific day or month: since Monday, since January.
- Use since with a specific time: since 8 o'clock.
- You can also use since with a past event: since I was a child, since she arrived.
Example: She has worked here since last summer. (The starting point was last summer.)
How Does This Help You in the A2 Key (KET) Exam?
Understanding for and since with the Present Perfect is very useful for the A2 Key exam.
- In the Reading and Writing parts, you might see sentences using these words. Knowing the difference helps you understand the text correctly.
- In the Speaking part, you can use these structures to talk about your experiences, how long you have studied English, or where you have lived. For example, I have lived in Madrid for five years or I have studied English since I was ten.
| 'For' (Duration) | 'Since' (Starting Point) |
|---|---|
| for three hours | since 8 o'clock |
| for a long time | since last Tuesday |
| for six months | since my birthday |
| for many years | since 2015 |
| for a week | since I was a child |
Examples
- I have known my best friend for fifteen years.
- She has worked at Langcom since 2021.
- We have lived in this city for a long time.
- He hasn't eaten anything since breakfast.
- They have been on holiday for a week.
- My sister has played the piano since she was six years old.
Practice
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Get started with LangcomCommon mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish speakers sometimes make mistakes with for and since because the structure is different from Spanish. A common error is using the Present Simple or Past Simple instead of the Present Perfect for actions that started in the past and continue now.
- Incorrect: I live here for five years. (This sounds like you live here for five years in the future, or it's just a fact, not a duration from the past to now.)
- Correct: I have lived here for five years. (This means you started living here five years ago and you still live here.)
- Incorrect: She knows him since 2010. (This uses Present Simple, which is incorrect for an action continuing from the past.)
- Correct: She has known him since 2010. (This correctly shows that she started knowing him in 2010 and still knows him.)
Remember, if an action started in the past and is still happening now, use the Present Perfect with for or since.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 'for' with the Past Simple?
Yes, but the meaning is different. With the Past Simple, for describes a completed period in the past. For example, I lived in London for two years means you lived there in the past, but you don't live there now. With the Present Perfect, I have lived in London for two years means you started two years ago and still live there.
What is the difference between 'since' and 'from'?
Since is used with the Present Perfect to show a starting point that continues to the present. For example, I have worked here since May. From is used for a starting point for actions that might not continue to the present, often with specific start and end times, like The shop is open from 9 AM to 5 PM or I worked there from 2010 to 2015.
How can I use 'for' and 'since' in the A2 Key Speaking test?
You can use them to talk about your life experiences, studies, or hobbies. For example, if the examiner asks about your English studies, you can say, I have studied English for three years or I have studied English since I was 12. This shows good grammar control and helps you express yourself clearly.
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