For/Since/From in English

For, since and from are time expressions used to talk about different time periods.

In this lesson, you’ll learn when to use each time expression and practise using them.

When to use for, since and from?

For

Used to say how long an action lasts for.
E.g. They play chess for hours.
Structure: for + time period

Since

Used to show a specific starting point.
E.g. I have been a nurse since 2019.
Since is used with the present and past perfect tense.

From

Used to show when something starts or a range of time.
E.g. The match starts from 8pm.
Can be used with a range of tenses, past, present or future.
Is often paid with to or until.
E.g. I work from 9am until 5pm.

Examples

We were on the train for 5 hours.

Since childhood, I have always watched that cartoon at Christmas.

The museum is open from 10am until 4pm today.

Practise

Fill the gaps with for, since or from.

Common mistakes learners make

Using since with a duration instead of a starting point
Using present simple instead of present perfect with since

Common mistakes learners make

Using since with a duration instead of a starting point
Using present simple instead of present perfect with since