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For and since, When...?, and How long...?

Unit.  11

 For and since, When...?, and How long...?

A

 We use for and since to say how long something has been happening:

 We use for + a period of time (two hours,

six weeks, etc.):

I've been waiting for two hours.

                              for two hours

                                     for

two hours a week a long time

20 minutes six months ages

five days 50 years years


We use since + the start of a period (8:00.

Monday, 1985, etc.):

I've been waiting since 8:00.

                            since 8:00

                                 since

8:00 April lunchtime

Monday 1977 I arrived 

May 12 Christmas yesterday

Kelly has been working here since April.

(= from April until now)

I haven't seen Tom since Monday.

It is possible to leave out for (but not usually in negative sentences): 

  • They've been married (for) ten years. (with or without for) 
  • They haven't had a vacation for ten years. (you must use for)

 We do not use for with all (all day / all my life, etc.): 

  • I've lived here all my life. (not for all my life)

Compare When...? (+ simple past) and How long...?( + present perfect): 

A: When did it start raining?

 B: It started raining an hour ago / at one o'clock. A: How long has it been raining?

 B: It's been raining for an hour / since one o'clock.

 A: When did Joe and Carol meet each other?

 B: They first met a long time ago / when they were in high school.

 A: How long have Joe and Carol known each other? for a long time / since they were in

 B: They've known each other high school.

We say "It's (= It has) been a long time / two years (etc.) since something happened: 

  • It's been two years since I last saw Joe. (= I haven't seen Joe for two years.)
  •  It's been ages since we went to the movies. (= We haven't gone to the movies for ages.)

 The question is How long has it been since...?:

  •  How long has it been since you last saw Joe? (= When did you last see Joe:) 
  • I How long has it been since Mrs. Hill died (= When did Mrs. Hill die)

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