For three years, not “since three years”

The rule

Use for with a length of time (for three years, for two weeks) and since with a starting point (since 2020, since Monday). With both, use the present perfect: I have lived here for three years.

French depuis and Arabic منذ cover both meanings, so learners say since three years. English splits them: a length takes for, a start takes since.

Examples

In a conversation

A: How long have you studied English?

B: For about two years. I started at university.

A: And how long have you worked at the bank?

B: Since last summer. I love it!

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

1. I've had this phone ___ two years.
   • a) since
   • b) for
   • c) from
2. She has worked here ___ 2021.
   • a) for
   • b) since
   • c) during
3. How long ___ here?
   • a) have you lived
   • b) do you live
   • c) you lived

Tip

Quick test: if the question is How long?, use for. If it is Since when?, use since.

Answers

1. b) for. Two years is a length of time: for.
2. b) since. 2021 is a starting point: since.
3. a) have you lived. How long takes the present perfect.

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