In this concept, I will go through the difference between these two words Since and For.
Since
since refers to a specific point in time or beginning of an event.
For example, if it started raining at 9 o’clock and the time now is 10 o’clock then I can say that it has been raining since 9 o’clock.
since can be used in the past and present tense but not in the future tense.
For example,
1. I have been studying since 7:00 am so 7 am is the specific point in time when I started studying.
2. He has been a teacher since 2011. again 2011 is the specific point in time that he started teaching.
For
when we use the word for we are referring to a duration of time.
so again let’s look at this example if it started raining at 9 o’clock and the time now is 10 o’clock then I can say it has been raining for one hour.
so, we can use for present, past, and future tenses.
For example
1. I have been studying for three hours. so, three hours is the duration of time.
2. He will be in the office for five hours. so, five hours is the duration of time.
3. He has lived in Europe for six months. so, six months is the duration of time.
as you can see and understand from these examples I have given the duration of time.
having said that, if you’re not sure of the exact length of time. then you can use phrases like for a while, for ages, or for a short time, for a long time
for example,
I have been studying for ages.
She will be in the kitchen for a while.
He has lived in Delhi for a long time.
Click here to practice Since and For Quiz