We use for and since to say how long something has been happening. We use for +2 period of time (two hours, six We use since + the start of a period weeks exc) (8 o'clock, Monday, 1999 etc): V've been waiting for two hours Vive been waiting since 8 o'clock. for two hours since 8 o'clock two hoursago > now Bo'clock now 7 for = - since twohours 20 minutes fivedays Bolclock Monday 12 May longtime sixmonths _ SOyears April 2001 Christmas aweek anes years lunchtime wearrived I got up sally has been working here for six Sally has been working here since April. months. (not since six months) (from April until now) | haven't seen Tom for three days. I haven't seen Tor since Monday. Itis possible to leave out for (but not usually in negative sentences) They've been married (for) ten years. (with or without for) ‘They haven't had a holiday for ten years. (you must use for) We do not use for + all... (all day / all my life etc.) I've lived here all my life. (not for all my life) ‘You can use in instead of for in negative sentences (I haven't... etc}: They haven't had a holiday in ten years (=for ten years) Compare when ...? (+ past simpte) and how long... ? (+ present perfect) A: When did it start raining? b: Irstarted rining_an hour ago / at 1 o'clock. How long has it been raining? I's been raining. for an hour / since 1 o'clock : When did Joe and Carol first meat? along time ago. + hy fat | panty tech x: How long have they known each other? for along time since they were at school, K b: They've known each other Wesey: ts tis) along time or t's been (=Ithas been) | sixmonths (ete) It's two years since last saw joe. or It's been two years since (- Ihaven't seen joe for two years) It's ages since we went tothe cinema. or It's been ages (=We haven't been to the cinema for ages) How long is it since Mrs Hill died? or How long has it been since .. ? (=When did Mes Hil aie?) since something happened (How tong have you (been) 2-9 Unit 1Exercises @ write tor or since. 1 It's been raining since lunchtime. 2 Sarah has lived in Paris 1995. 3 Paul has lived in Grail ten years 4 limtired of walting. We've been sitting here an hour. 5 Kevin has been looking fora job he left school. 6 Ihaven't been to a party ages. 7 I wonder where Joe is. haven't seen him last week 8 Jane is away. She's been away Friday. 9. The weathers cry. Ithasn’t rained a few weeks. ©@ Wite questions with how tong and when 1 Its raining. {how long?) Hew Long has it been raining? (when2) When did start rauning? 2 ate is learning Japaneco. {how long tear?) {when / start?) 3 know Simeon. {how long / you / know?) (when / you first / meet?) 4 Rebecca and David are married {how long?) (when?) EB Fe2¥ the situations and complete the sentences 1 lestainng.tésbeen raining since lunchtime. t_ strled raring at tnchtime 2 Ann ané Jess are friends. They first met years ago, They've .kvewn each other for _ years, 3 Mark sill. He became ill on Sunday. He has Sunday. 4 Mark sill. He became ill afew days ago. He has, a few days. 5 Sarah is married, She's been married for a year. She got 6 Youhave a headache, tt started when you woke up. Wve woke up. 7 Sue has been in Italy forthe last three weeks. She went & You're working in a hotel. You started six months ago Ive © write 8s sentences using the words in brackets, 1. &: Do you often go on holiday? No, | haven't had. a holiday for five years. 2 x Do youoften see Laura? &: No,t about @ month, 3 x Do you often go to the cinema? 5: No, along time, 4 Do you often eat in restaurants? ®: No, ages. Now write B's answers again. This time use It's. 5 (0) No, it's five years since | had a holiday, 6 (2) No, its 7 ()No, 81) ie 25