For, Since and How Long?

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B1Grammar Focus

For, Since and How Long?

I can describe a situation continuing to now using a duration or a starting point.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Start with the contrast

Rina moved here in 2021 and still lives here. She has lived here for five years in this fictional 2026 conversation. She has lived here since 2021. Both descriptions connect the starting point with now.

Read the situation transcript

Rina moved here in 2021 and still lives here. She has lived here for five years in this fictional 2026 conversation. She has lived here since 2021. Both descriptions connect the starting point with now.

Which expression gives the starting point, not the length of time?

Compare your idea

Since 2021 gives the starting point.

How it works

Two adult women holding an old and a new house key.
She’s lived there for ten years.Picture context: the woman with the old key still lives in the same home. Ten years is the supplied duration.

Use for with a duration: for two months. Use since with a starting point: since Monday, since 2021. With a state continuing to now, the present perfect keeps that connection clear.

Ask How long have you…? for the duration. Ask When did you…? for the beginning event: When did you move here? For is not restricted to the present perfect; its job is to introduce a duration.

For + duration; since + starting point. How long have/has + subject + participle?

Reference situation

I’ve lived here for five years.

This measures a duration continuing to now in the scenario.

Contrasting viewpoint

I’ve lived here since 2021.

This identifies the starting point.

Hear the examples

I’ve lived here for five years.

This measures a duration continuing to now in the scenario.

I’ve lived here since 2021.

This identifies the starting point.

How long have you known Jo?

This asks about an ongoing state.

When did you meet Jo?

This asks about the beginning event.

One mistake worth avoiding

Instead of: I’ve known her since three years.

Say: I’ve known her for three years.

Three years is a duration, not a starting point.

You say

Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.

Your turn 1

Say how long you have known someone.

Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text

I’ve known my friend for six years.

Check yourself: Use have known for the continuing state.

Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.

Your turn 2

Give a starting point for an ongoing activity or state.

Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text

I’ve lived here since 2020.

Check yourself: Use since plus a point in time.

Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.

Your turn 3

Ask both about duration and the first event.

Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text

How long have you known Jo? When did you meet?

Check yourself: Do not use the same tense mechanically for both questions.

Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.

Two adult women holding an old and a new house key.
I’ve had this key since Monday.Picture context: the woman with the new key received it on Monday and still has it. Since gives the starting point.

Two guided self-checks

Say or write your answer before opening a model.

Self-check 1

Complete: We’ve been here ___ Monday.

Compare a model and explanation

We’ve been here since Monday.

Monday is the starting point.

Self-check 2

Change the focus from duration to start: I’ve lived here for two years. Say the start was 2024.

Compare a model and explanation

I’ve lived here since 2024.

The supplied start year replaces the duration.

Check your understanding

Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.

1. I’ve known Ana ___ three years.

2. She’s worked here ___ Monday.

3. How long ___ you known him?

4. Which phrase gives a duration?

5. Choose the question about the first meeting.

6. Correct “I know him for five years” for a state still continuing.

7. Does for belong only to the present perfect?

8. When did the ongoing stay begin?

Read the listening transcript

I’ve been here since Tuesday. I’m staying until next week.

Opening this transcript makes this a reading-supported attempt.

9. Choose the correct ongoing-state form.

10. What does since identify here?

Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.

Answer key with explanations

  1. I’ve known Ana ___ three years.

    for: Three years is a duration.

  2. She’s worked here ___ Monday.

    since: Monday identifies a starting point.

  3. How long ___ you known him?

    have: An ongoing state with known uses have in this question.

  4. Which phrase gives a duration?

    For six months: A duration measures how long; the others identify a starting point.

  5. Choose the question about the first meeting.

    When did you meet?: Meet names the beginning event and takes past simple here.

  6. Correct “I know him for five years” for a state still continuing.

    I’ve known him for five years.: Use present perfect for this continuing state and for with the duration.

  7. Does for belong only to the present perfect?

    No: For marks duration and can also occur with other tenses.

  8. When did the ongoing stay begin?

    On Tuesday: Since Tuesday identifies the starting point.

  9. Choose the correct ongoing-state form.

    She has had this bag for years.: Have possession normally uses the simple perfect, not a continuous form.

  10. What does since identify here?

    The beginning of the period: Since names the starting point from which the period extends.

Take it with you

I can describe a situation continuing to now using a duration or a starting point.

Try the companion lesson

Grammar in Context: How Long Have You…?Explore the Grammar catalogue