For and Since For Time
For and Since For Time
for + period
A period is a duration of time, for example: 5 minutes, 2 weeks, 6 years. For means
"from the beginning of the period until the end of the period." For can be used with all
tenses.
since + point
A point is a precise moment in time, for example: 9 o'clock, 1st January, Monday. Since
means "from a point in the past until now." Since is normally used with perfect tenses.
for since
aperiod a point
(from start to end) (up to now)
>===< x===>|
for 20 minutes since 9am
for three days since Monday
for 6 months since January
for 4 years since 1997
for 2 centuries since 1500
for a long time since I left school
for ever since the beginning of time
etc etc
For can be used with all tenses. Here are a few examples:
For is NOT used with "all day", "all the time" etc.