Агентство Лангуст [переход на главную]

Unit 12. When…? and How long…? For and since
(сравнение Past Simple и Present Perfect)

Compare When …? (+ Past Simple) and How long …? (+ Present Perfect):
 
Unit 12. When…? and How long…? For and since
A: When did it start raining?
B: It started raining an hour ago / at 1 o'clock.
 
A: How long has it been raining?
B: It's been raining for an hour / since 1 o'clock.
Unit 12. When…? and How long…? For and since
A: When did Joe and Carol first meet?
B: They first met a long time ago / when they were at school.
 
A: How long have Joe and Carol known each other?
B: They've known each other reversed bracket to table for a lone time.
since they were at school.

We use both for and since to say how long something has been happening.
 
We use for when we say a period of time (two hours, six weeks etc.):
  • I've been waiting for two hours.

Unit 12. When…? and How long…? For and since
  for  
 
two hours
20 minutes
five days
six months
   
a week
50 years
a long
time ages
  • Sally's been working here for six months. (not since six months)
  • I haven't seen Tom for three days. (not since three days)
We use since when we say the start of a period (8 o'clock, Monday, 1985 etc.):
  • I've been waiting since 8 o'clock.

Unit 12. When…? and How long…? For and since
  since  
 
8 o'clock
Monday
12 May
April
   
1977
Christmas
lunchtime
they were at school
  • Sally's been working here since April. ( = from April until now)
  • I haven't seen Tom since Monday. ( = from Monday until now)

It is possible to leave out for (but not usually in negative sentences): We do not use for + all … (all day / all my life etc.): We say "It's (a long time / two years etc.) since something happened": The question is How long is it since …? See Unit 11. How long have you (been)…? (настоящее совершенное время).
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