Present perfect with ‘for’ and ‘since’
So since we started this session, we’ve talked about using the present perfect with the words for and since. We haven’t finished though – here’s 6 Minute Grammar with Neil, Sophie and Catherine. They’re talking all about this use of the present perfect and some of their experiences. But can you answer these questions?
How long has Catherine known her friend Alex?
How long has Sophie worked at the BBC?
Neil
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute Grammar with me, Neil.
Sophie
And me, Sophie. Hello.
Neil
In this programme, we’re going to show you how to use the words for and since with the present perfect tense.
Sophie
That’s right and there’ll be a quiz at the end of the show, so listen carefully!
Neil
Let’s get started. Catherine here has got two sentences for us – but: which one uses present perfect?
Catherine
I’ve worked at the BBC for 8 years.
I worked at the BBC for 8 years.
Neil
Thank you, Catherine. And the first sentence – I’ve worked at the BBC for 8 years is in the present perfect tense. It means that Catherine started work at the BBC 8 years ago and still works at the BBC now.
Sophie
The second sentence is in the past simple, and the meaning is different. I worked at the BBC for 8 years means the speaker worked for the BBC in the past, but they don’t work there now. Let’s hear those again.
Catherine
I’ve worked at the BBC for 8 years.
I worked at the BBC for 8 years.
Sophie
So: the present perfect helps us talk about situations that started in the past and are still happening now. We make the present perfect tense with the subject plus have or has –
Neil
…Or haven’t or hasn’t –
Sophie
Yes: subject plus have, has, haven’t or hasn’t, plus the past participle form of the verb. Some more examples please Catherine?
Catherine
Alisha has lived in Paris since 1996.
I’ve known Alex for twenty years.
Neil
So these situations are still happening – Alisha still lives in Paris…
Sophie
…and Catherine and Alex are still friends.
Neil
And both examples have a time expression. Here’s the first one again.
Catherine
Alisha has lived in Paris since 1996.
Sophie
The word since gives the exact point in the past when the situation started – a particular year, for example: since 1996.
Neil
…and the point in the past that we use with since could be a day, a month, a season or a time of day. Catherine.
Catherine
They’ve been married since March.
I’ve been ill since last Friday.
Faruk has drunk three cups of coffee since 2 o’clock.
Sophie
The point in the past can also be a situation or event.
Catherine
I haven’t eaten anything since I got up.
I’ve known Alex since primary school.
Neil
So: that’s since to refer to a point in time when a situation started.
Sophie
Now let’s look at for. We use for with the present perfect tense to say how long a situation has lasted.
Catherine
I’ve known Alex for twenty years.
Sophie
…for twenty years. Catherine met Alex twenty years ago, and they still know each other now. So it’s present perfect, plus for, plus a length of time.
Catherine
I’ve known Alex for twenty years.
Sophie
The length of time could be: for six months, for a week, for two minutes, for ten seconds…
Neil
For fifty years, for ten thousand years!
IDENT
You’re listening to BBC Learning English.com.
Neil
And we’re talking about the present perfect tense with for and since. Did you know Sophie, I’ve worked for the BBC for 13 years.
Sophie
Really?
Neil
Yes I have. And I haven’t had a day off sick since I started.
Sophie
Really?
Neil
No, not really. How long have you worked at the BBC, Sophie?
Sophie
Well, Neil, I’ve done bits and bobs for about a year.
Neil
You can also ask this question with the present perfect continuous tense, like this:
Catherine
How long have you been working at the BBC?
Neil
It’s very similar to the present perfect simple tense, and is common when we’re asking about temporary or unfinished situations and activities.
Sophie
And now, it’s quiz time. Neil will give the answers. Number 1. Which sentence is correct? a) I’ve lived here since two years. Or b) I’ve lived here for two years.
Neil
It’s b) I’ve lived here for two years.
Sophie
Number 2: a) Mika hasn’t spoken to Jackie for they went on holiday. b) Mika hasn’t spoken to Jackie since they went on holiday.
Neil
It’s b) Mika hasn’t spoken to Jackie since they went on holiday.
Sophie
…and number 3: a) You have been listening to 6 Minute Grammar for the last 6 minutes b) You’re listening to 6 Minute Grammar for the last 6 minutes.
Neil
It’s a) You have been listening to 6 Minute Grammar for the last 6 minutes – because you are still listening…
Sophie
…we hope!
Neil
There’s lots more about this on our website at bbclearningenglish.com. Join us again for some more 6 Minute Grammar.
All
Bye.
So, Catherine has known Alex, her friend, for twenty years and Sophie has worked at the BBC since last year.
End of Session 2
That’s it for Session 2! Since you started this session, you’ve looked at using the present perfect and how it works with the words for and since to talk about how long things have happened for and when they started. In the next session we’ll hear from some people who moved to the UK to study and what they have to say about their experiences.
Grammar Reference
Present perfect and ‘for’/’since’
Meaning and use
The present perfect is often used to talk about situations that started in the past and are continuing now. We sometimes use the present perfect in a question with how long to ask about how long a present situation has continued.
How long have Sasha and Tanya been married?
We talk about how long using the words for and since.
For = throughout (a period of time).
They’ve been married for six months.
Since = from (an exact point in time) until now.
They’ve been married since March.
We can also use present perfect + since + past simple.
I haven’t seen Tanya since we graduated.
Form
The present perfect is made with subject + have/has (positive) or haven’t/hasn’t (negative) + past participle.
For is used with a length of time.
Since is used with a specific point in the past.
for: ten minutes, one hour, two days, a week, three years, a long time
since: 10 o’clock, Friday, November, 2013, Easter
Positive
I’ve lived here since 2012.
I’ve worked for this company for20 years.
Negative
We haven’t seen her for ages.
She hasn’t been back to the UK since 2009.
Question
Have you known Sasha since last year?
Have you lived here for more than two years?
How long have you known him?
Have you known Sasha a long time?
Take note: present simple and present continuous
We cannot use the present simple or present continuous with for and since.
WRONG: I know him for ten years.
CORRECT: I’ve known him for ten years.
WRONG: I’m living here since 2002.
CORRECT: I’ve lived here since 2002.
Take note: present perfect / present perfect continuous
With verbs like work and live, which can describe permanent or temporary situations, we usually use the present perfect + ‘for’ / ‘since’ for a long period of time. For a short period, we use the present perfect continuous.
I’ve worked for this company for 20 years. (present perfect)
I’ve been working here for a week. (present perfect continuous)
Take note: present perfect / past simple
If a situation is finished, we use the past simple + ‘for’, not the present perfect:
I worked for that company for 20 years and then I retired.
Spoken English
In informal writing and in speech, we often use a contraction with the auxiliary verb.
I’ve lived in Amsterdam for twelve years.
When you listen to someone using a sentence with for +a period of time, listen carefully to the verb. It is sometimes difficult to hear the difference between, for example, I’ve lived in New York for five years and I lived in New York for five years, but it makes a big difference in meaning. It tells us whether the speaker still lives there or not.