Explanation
Exercises
For, Since, From — What’s the difference?

Quick rules

  • for + period of time (how long): for two weeks, for a long time, for ages.
  • since + starting point (when it began): since 2019, since 10 o’clock, since I moved here.
  • from marks a starting point for ranges/schedules: from 9 to 5, from Monday to Friday, from now on (not with present perfect meaning “until now”).

for/since are common with the Present/Past Perfect (simple or continuous). from is used in other tenses for timetables, plans, or finished time periods.

for — duration

Use Examples
Present perfect (ongoing to now) We’ve been here for a few hours. • He’s been studying for a long time.
Past perfect (ongoing before a past point) When I met them, they had been married for ten years.
Past simple (finished duration) I lived in London for 20 years. (not now)
Future/Plans I’ll be away for three days. • We’re renting the place for the summer.
  • Common phrases: for ages, for a while, for the last two weeks, for the whole day.

since — starting point to now

Use Examples
Present perfect (simple/continuous) I have known John since I was a child. • He’s been working here since 2018.
Past perfect (viewed from a past time) I was exhausted; I had been at work since six a.m.
Conjunction “since + clause” since I got up, since we moved. • Ever since we met, we’ve kept in touch.
  • Adverbials: since then, ever since.

from — ranges, schedules, and starting points (not with “until now” meaning)

  • Range: from A to/until/till B — I work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Start-only (non-perfect): Masks will be compulsory from tomorrow. • I’m usually here from six o’clock.
  • New rule moving forward: From now on, meetings start at 9.
  • Finished time span: The city reported 400 new cases from Friday to Sunday.

Do not use from with the present perfect to mean “since then”: ✗ I’ve lived here from 2019 → ✓ I’ve lived here since 2019 / ✓ I lived here from 2019 to 2021.

Summary table

Word Main idea Typical tenses Examples
for duration / how long present perfect, past perfect, past simple, future for two weeks; for years; for a while
since starting point → up to now present perfect (often), past perfect since 2010; since last night; since I arrived
from start of a range/schedule present simple (habits), future, past simple from 9 to 5; from Monday to Friday; from now on

Common mistakes

  • ✗ I’ve known her for 2019 → ✓ since 2019.
  • ✗ I’ve lived here from 2015 → ✓ since 2015 / ✓ from 2015 to 2018.
  • ✗ I know him since last year → ✓ I’ve known him since last year.
  • Using since with a period: ✗ since two weeks → ✓ for two weeks.
  • Confusing during (when) with for (how long): during the meeting vs for an hour.

Extra notes

  • Present perfect simple vs continuous: both work with for/since. Use continuous for activities (I’ve been reading for hours), simple for states/results (I’ve lived here since 2016).
  • Questions: How long … for? / Since when …? — How long have you worked here? • Since when have you known her?
Exercises:
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3

For, since, from: What’s the difference?

Choose since, from, for to complete each sentence.
1
I haven’t spoken to Mia last summer.
2
The new timetable will apply next Monday.
3
We’ve been waiting two hours.
4
He has been on a diet January.
5
The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6
They lived in Dublin three years before moving.
7
We’ve known each other college.
8
We’re closed now until Monday.
9
She’s worked remotely the pandemic began.
10
The clearance sale will run Friday to Sunday.

For, since, from: What’s the difference?

Choose since, from, for to complete these sentences.
1
I’ve worked here _____ 2019.
A.
B.
C.
2
The museum is open _____ 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A.
B.
C.
3
We waited _____ two hours before the doctor saw us.
A.
B.
C.
4
The new timetable will operate _____ Monday.
A.
B.
C.
5
I’ve known Maya _____ we were kids.
A.
B.
C.
6
He lived in Brazil _____ 2012 to 2015.
A.
B.
C.
7
The shop has been closed _____ last week.
A.
B.
C.
8
We’ll be away _____ a couple of days.
A.
B.
C.
9
Office hours are _____ 9 to 5.
A.
B.
C.
10
She’s felt much better _____ she started exercising.
A.
B.
C.

For, since, from: What’s the difference?

Fill in each gap using since, from, for.

Hints: since = starting point (till now) for = duration from = starting point in a range/future start

1
I’ve lived here 2019.
2
The café is closed 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day.
3
She has been on the phone half an hour.
4
Our sales have doubled we launched the app.
5
The festival runs Friday to Sunday.
6
He hasn’t called me last week.
7
We’re staying in Lisbon three nights.
8
I usually work Monday to Thursday and travel on Friday.
9
I haven’t slept 36 hours.
10
The new timetable applies next Tuesday.