Do exercises on for, since, and from to practice B1 grammar. Get clear explanations and examples of the differences, common mistakes, and how to use them.
For, Since, From: What’s the Difference? Exercises
People use “for,” “since,” and “from” to talk about time, but they can’t be used in the same way. They all mean something different and are used in different ways. Knowing the difference will help you write and speak English more correctly.
Using for
We use for to talk about how long something lasts.
It tells us how long something will last, not when it will start.
For is often used with:
- a certain amount of time (two hours, five years, a long time)
- Forms in the present perfect, past simple, or future
Structure
for + period of time
Examples
- I have lived here for three years.
- She waited for half an hour.
- They will stay in London for a week.
Main point: It answers the question “How long?”
Using since
We use “since” to talk about when something started.
It tells us when something started.
Since is often used with the present perfect because it links the past to the present.
Structure
since + point in time
Common time expressions with since
- a year or date: 2019, Monday, last week
- a specific time: 8 a.m.
- a past event: I moved here, she left school
Examples
- I have worked here since 2020.
- We have been friends since college.
- He hasn’t eaten anything since this morning.
The main point is that it answers the question “From when?”
Using from
We use “from” to show when something starts, but not how long it lasts.
People often use it when they know or talk about the end time.
You can use “from” with a lot of different tenses, like past, present, and future.
Structure
- from + point in time
- from … to / until …
Examples
- The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- She worked there from 2015 to 2019.
- The course runs from Monday.
Important note: “From” does not mean “for a period of time.” It only shows the beginning of something.
Things to avoid doing wrong
Incorrect: I live here since five years.
Correct: I have lived here for five years.
Incorrect: I have worked here from 2021.
Correct: I have worked here since 2021.
Incorrect: I stayed there since two weeks.
Correct: I stayed there for two weeks.
A quick comparison
- for → time (how long)
- since → starting point (when it started, it is still true now)
- from → starting point (with an end time in many cases)
