English is one of the most widely spoken and used languages in the world and that’s why people are trying their best to be fluent in the language through taking Speaking English courses or English speaking classes. One of the fundamental aspects of mastering the language is understanding and correctly utilizing temporal words and expressions. Among these common temporal expressions are “since” and “for,” which can cause some confusion for new learners.

In the context of English language learning, GoTalky provides an exceptional platform for online English language education. GoTalky offers a comprehensive range of innovative and effective educational resources, including live lessons with exceptional teachers, interactive exercises, and assessment tests. Thanks to intelligent learning techniques and casual conversations, students can significantly enhance their listening and reading skills while participating in spoken English lessons, ultimately benefiting from an Online English course designed to boost English fluency.

Explanation of the “Since” and “For” Rule with GoTalky

The “since” and “for” rule is related to time and is used to indicate a duration in the English language. Here’s a simplified explanation of each rule:

• “Since”:
  “Since” is used to indicate a starting point in the past and is used to express the duration that has been ongoing since then up to the present time. It can be used in both positive and negative sentences.
  Example:
  I have been learning English since 2010.
  She hasn’t stopped working since she started.
• “For”:
  “For” is used to specify a certain period of time or a duration that continues up to the present time. It can be used in both positive and negative sentences.
  Example:
  I have been learning English for five years.
  They haven’t stopped for a week.

There are some important points to consider when using “since” and “for” whether in real life usage or in English fluency course:

“Since” is used with specific points in time, such as dates or specific events in the past.

“For” is used with specific time periods, such as hours, days, months, or years.

Example:

I have been living in this house since 2015. (Specific date)

They have been waiting for an hour. (Specific time period)

I have been living in this house for five years. (Specific time period)

They have been waiting for a week. (Specific time period)

By using these rules correctly in your daily life or in Spoken English lessons, you can clearly express the duration in English sentences and understand the difference between “since” and “for.”

When to Use “Since” and “For”?

“Since” and “for” are used to indicate a duration in the English language, but each is used in a different temporal context and that’s what you should learn in any English fluency course. Here’s an explanation of when to use each of them:

• “Since”:
  “Since” is used to point to a starting point in the past and express the duration that has been ongoing since then up to the present time. “Since” is used with specific time points such as dates or known events in the past.
  Examples:
  I have been working at this company since 2010.
  I have been living in this house since I was a child.
• “For”:
  “For” is used to indicate a specific time period that continues up to the present time. “For” is used with specified time periods such as hours, days, months, or years.
  Examples:
  I studied English for two hours today.
  I traveled to Italy for a week.
  To specify the duration more precisely, you can use words like “since” or “for” with the appropriate time period. For example, you can say, “I have been studying English for five years” (for a duration of five years) or “I have been studying English since 2010” (since the year 2010).

When to Use “Since,” “For,” and “Ago”?

We use “since,” “for,” and “ago” to indicate time and time periods in the English language, but each of them is used in a different temporal context.You should learn how to use them in any Online English course. Here’s an explanation of when to use each of them:

• “Since”:
  We use “since” to point to a starting point in the past and express the duration that has been ongoing since then up to the present time.
  Examples:
  I have been working at this company since 2010.
  I have been living in this house since I was a child.
• “For”:
  We use “for” to indicate a specific time period that continues up to the present time.
  Examples:
  I studied English for two hours today.
  I traveled to Italy for a week.
• “Ago”:
  We use “ago” to refer to the past and express the time interval between the event and the present time.
  Examples:
  She left the house two hours ago.
  I started studying English five years ago.
  To specify time and time periods more precisely, you can use “since,” “for,” or “ago” with the appropriate time frame. For example, you can say, “I have been studying English for five years” (for a duration of five years) or “I started studying English five years ago” (began studying English five years ago).

By using “since,” “for,” and “ago” correctly, you can clearly express time and time periods and clarify when a state or activity began and how long it has been ongoing, or when events occurred in the past. And if you’re taking any Speaking English courses or English speaking classes, it will help you even more to put what you’ve learnt into practice.

What Comes After “Since”?

After the word “since,” usually a specific time or a point in time comes. There are several things that can come after “since,” and here are some examples:

• Dates:
  I have been living here since 2010.
  She has been working at the company since January.
• Specific Times:
  They have been waiting since morning.
  He has been studying since yesterday evening.
• Specific Events in the Past:
  I have been interested in photography since I attended a workshop.
  She has been afraid of dogs since she was bitten as a child.

In the above sentences, “since” is used with dates, specific times, and known events in the past to indicate the starting point since then and its continuation up to the present time.

Can “Since” Be Used with Future Events?

Usually, “since” is used to indicate events that started in the past and have continued up to the present time. Therefore, “since” cannot be used with future events.

However, in some rare cases, “since” can be used to indicate a starting point in the future and its continuation up to the present time when using time in an unconventional way or in a specific context. Nevertheless, it is preferable to use other expressions like “from” for future events.

For example:

I will work at the new company from next month.

He will be studying abroad starting next year.

So, it is best to use “since” to indicate events that started in the past and have continued up to the present time and use other expressions like “from” for future events.