Using for and since with the Present Perfect

Using the present perfect, we can define a period of time before now by considering its duration, with for + a period of time, or by considering its starting point, with since + a point in time.

For + a period of time

  • for six years, for a week, for a month, for hours, for two hours.
  • I have worked here for five years.

Since + a point in time

  • since this morning, since last week, since yesterday,
  • since I was a child, since Wednesday, since 2 o’clock.
  • I have worked here since 1990.

present perfect with for

  • She has lived here for twenty years.
  • We have taught at this school for a long time.
  • Alice has been married for three months.
  • They have been at the hotel for a week.

present perfect with since

  • She has lived here since 1980.
  • We have taught at this school since 1965
  • Alice has been married since March 2nd.
  • They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.

Note:

  • For and since can both be used with the past perfect.
  • Since can only be used with perfect tenses, for can also be used with the simple past.
Using for and since with the Present Perfect 1