Present perfect with since and for — englishillustrated.com

What is the Present Perfect with Since and For?

The present perfect tense describes actions or situations that started in the past and continue to the present moment. We use it to show how long something has been happening. The words 'since' and 'for' help us describe the duration or starting point of these actions. Both are very common in everyday English when talking about experiences, relationships, jobs, and habits.

Where the Present Perfect Tense sits on the English tense timeline

Since vs. For: When to Use Each One

Use 'for' when you want to show a period of time or duration—how long something has been happening. Examples: for two hours, for six months, for a year. Use 'since' when you want to show the specific starting point—when the action began. Examples: since Monday, since 2020, since last year. A useful way to remember: 'for' answers 'how long?' and 'since' answers 'when did it start?'

Important Rules and Tips

Remember that the present perfect shows an action that began in the past and is still true now. Don't switch to the simple past when using 'since' or 'for'—this is a common mistake. Also, the action must still be ongoing or recent. If the action is completely finished, use the simple past instead. For example, say 'I have worked here for three years' (I still work there), not 'I worked here for three years' (past, finished).

Structure: How to Form Present Perfect with Since and For

Positive

Subject + have / has + past participle + object / complement + since / for + time expression

She has lived in Paris since 2019. / They have worked here for three years.

Negative

Subject + have / has + not + past participle + object / complement + since / for + time expression

I have not seen him since last Monday. / He has not called for two weeks.

Question

Have / Has + Subject + past participle + object / complement + since / for + time expression

Have you lived here since 2020? / Has she worked for five years?

Examples

My brother has played football since he was eight years old.

Starting point in the past · Ongoing activity

①brother was eight years old → ②brother plays football until now

How long have you been learning English?

Duration question · Common conversation

①you started learning English → ②now

They have lived in this apartment for two years.

Duration · Current situation

①They moved into this apartment → ②Now, two years later

I haven't eaten anything since breakfast.

Negative · Recent past

①ate breakfast → ②now (haven't eaten since then)

Sarah has worked as a teacher for ten years.

Professional experience · Duration

①Sarah started working as a teacher → ②now (ten years later)

We have known each other since university.

Long-term relationship · Specific starting point

①met at university → ②still know each other now

When to use it

Work and Jobs

Talk about how long you have worked in a position or at a company.

"I have been working in marketing since 2019."

Relationships

Describe how long you have known or been friends with someone.

"We have been best friends for eight years."

Living Situations

Say how long you have lived in a place.

"My family has lived in this city since 2018."

Learning and Hobbies

Explain how long you have studied or practiced something.

"I have played guitar for six months."

Health and States

Discuss how long you have had an illness, feeling, or condition.

"I have had a headache since this morning."

Signal words

for since how long all my life ages recently yet ever never

Common Mistakes

Wrong

I am working here for two years.

✓

Correct

I have worked here for two years.

Use present perfect, not present continuous, for ongoing situations that started in the past.

Wrong

She has lived here since five years.

✓

Correct

She has lived here for five years.

Use 'for' with duration periods, not 'since'. Use 'since' only with specific points in time.

Wrong

I worked here for three years.

✓

Correct

I have worked here for three years.

Use present perfect, not simple past, when the action continues now.

Wrong

How long have you been here since?

✓

Correct

How long have you been here? / How long have you been here for?

Don't use 'since' after 'how long'—use 'for' or ask without either word.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

What to Remember

Use present perfect to show actions that started in the past and continue until now.
Use 'for' with a period of time to show duration: for three years, for two hours.
Use 'since' with a specific starting point: since Monday, since 2015, since I was young.
Never use 'for' or 'since' with simple past; always use present perfect with these words.
Common mistake: don't say 'I am working here for five years'; say 'I have worked.'

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Present perfect with ever and never

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