Mastering Present Perfect with For and Since (B1 English Grammar) — B1 English grammar lesson by Langcom

Mastering Present Perfect with For and Since (B1 English Grammar)

Рауль Магинья

Основатель Langcom | Экзаменатор по экзаменам Cambridge и SIELE

Сентябрь 9, 2026

B1✏️ Грамматика⏱️ Время чтения: 5 минут📅 Updated Сентябрь 2026
The present perfect with for и since helps us talk about actions or situations that started in the past and are still true or happening now. It connects a past event to the present moment. We use for to describe the *duration* of time, meaning how long something has been happening. For example, I have lived here for five years. This tells us the total length of time. On the other hand, we use since to indicate the *starting point* of an action or situation. For instance, She has studied English since 2020. This means she started studying in 2020 and continues now. Understanding this difference is key for B1 English learners.

What is the Present Perfect Tense?

Before we add for и since, let’s remember the present perfect tense. It connects the past and the present.

  • We form it with have или has + the past participle of the main verb.
  • Например, I have seen that movie. или She has finished her homework.

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When Do We Use 'For' with the Present Perfect?

Мы используем for to talk about a *period* or *duration* of time. It answers the question 'How long?'

  • Использование for with a length of time, like for two hours, for three days, for a long time, for many years.
  • The action or situation started in the past and continues up to now.

Например:

  • They have lived in Madrid for ten years. (The duration is ten years.)
  • I have worked at Langcom for six months. (The duration is six months.)

When Do We Use 'Since' with the Present Perfect?

Мы используем since to talk about a *starting point* in time. It tells us *when* the action or situation began.

  • Использование since with a specific moment, like since 2015, since Monday, since I was a child, since last week.
  • The action or situation started at that point and continues up to now.

Например:

  • She has been a teacher since 2005. (The starting point is 2005.)
  • We haven't eaten since breakfast. (The starting point is breakfast.)

What Verbs Are Common with For and Since?

Many verbs describe states or situations that often continue for a long time. These are very common with for и since.

  • Common verbs include: live, work, know, have (meaning 'possess'), be, like, love, hate, enjoy, own.
  • These verbs describe situations that are often true for an extended period.

Например:

  • I've known him since high school.
  • They've owned that car for three years.

How Do We Ask Questions with 'How long...?'

To ask about the duration of an action or situation that continues now, we use How long...? with the present perfect.

  • Структура выглядит следующим образом: How long + have/has + subject + past participle...?
  • You can answer these questions using either for или since.

Например:

  • A: How long have you studied English?
  • B: I've studied English for five years. (Duration)
  • B: I've studied English since 2019. (Starting point)
Comparing 'For' and 'Since' with the Present Perfect
Особенность Для Since
Meaning Duration (how long) Starting point (when it began)
Example Phrase for three hours, for many years since 2010, since last week
Question How long...? Since when...? (less common, usually How long...?)
Example Sentence He has slept for eight hours. He has slept since 10 PM.

Примеры

  • I have lived in this city for ten years.
  • She has worked at the company since January.
  • We haven't seen them for a long time.
  • He has been sick since last Tuesday.
  • How long have you known your best friend?
  • They have had that car for five months.
  • I haven't visited my hometown since I was a child.

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Распространенные ошибки у носителей испанского языка

Using Present Simple Instead of Present Perfect

Spanish speakers often use the present simple with 'desde hace' or 'desde' to talk about ongoing actions, which is incorrect in English. You must use the present perfect.

  • Неправильно: I live here for five years.
  • Правильно: I have lived here for five years.
  • Неправильно: She works here since 2020.
  • Правильно: She has worked here since 2020.

Using Present Perfect for Finished Actions

Remember, the present perfect with for или since is for actions that *continue now*. If the action is finished, use the past simple.

  • Неправильно: I have lived in New York for two years (from 2015 to 2017). (The period is finished.)
  • Правильно: I lived in New York for two years (from 2015 to 2017).

Confusing 'For' and 'Since'

This is a very common mistake. Remember the difference:

  • For = duration (e.g., for three hours)
  • Since = starting point (e.g., since 3 o'clock)

Часто задаваемые вопросы

What is the main difference between 'for' and 'since'?

Основное отличие заключается в том, что for tells you the *length of time* (duration), like for two weeks. Since tells you the *starting point* in time, like since Monday. Both are used with the present perfect for actions that continue now.

Can I use 'for' or 'since' with other tenses?

Yes, but with different meanings. For example, you can use for with the past simple for a finished duration: I lived there for five years (but I don't live there now). Вы также можете использовать since with the past simple to indicate a reason: Since it was raining, we stayed inside. However, for actions continuing to the present, the present perfect is usually required with for и since.

Are there any verbs that cannot be used with 'for' and 'since' in the present perfect?

Generally, verbs that describe short, completed actions (like arrive, start, finish) are less common with for и since in the present perfect, unless they are part of a continuous state. For example, you wouldn't say I have arrived for two hours. Instead, verbs that describe states or ongoing activities (like live, study, be) are typical.

Связанные уроки

Об авторе: Рауль Магинья

Рауль Магинья является директором образовательной ассоциации «Langcom» — официального центра подготовки к экзамену Cambridge English в ваша страна. Имея более чем десятилетний опыт работы в сфере языкового образования и международной сертификации, он помог тысячам студентов, преподавателей и образовательных учреждений в 25 странах получить сертификаты по английскому языку: Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL и Michigan.

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