We use the words since, for and from to talk about time periods in English.

All these words have a slightly different meaning and grammar. Let’s see exactly how to use them.

SINCE, FOR AND FROM

SINCE

Since is used to express a duration from a specified starting point in the past up to the present time but without finishing time. We therefore use a present perfect tense when using since.

I have lived in London since 1984. (I started living in London in 1984 and I still live here. No idication is given as to when or if I might move elsewhere)

She has been teaching English since she graduated. (She started teaching English when she left university and she is still teaching English. There is no information on what date she may stop teaching.)

We can also use the past perfect tenses when speaking about a duration of time in the past but this is more often used in novels to give a feeling of action.)

FOR

For is used to express a duration without a starting point. A perfect tense is used if the speaker is still doing the activity or a past tense if it’s finished.

I have lived in London for 30 years. (I started living here 30 years ago and I’m still living here.)

I lived in London for 30 years. (I lived in London for a duration of 30 years but I now live somewhere else.)

FROM

From is also used to talk about a starting point but will also often (but not always) give the end point. From is therefore often partnered with ‘to’ or ‘until’

I work from 9am to 5pm. ( I work from 9am (start point) to 5pm (end point))

He played football for West Ham from 1984 until he retired in 1998. (He played football from 1984 (start point) until 1998 (end point)).

We also use from with a present or future tense to indicate a starting point in the future which will continue for an unspecified duration.

I will be at the office from 8am.

The train leaves from platform 6.

USING SINCE, FOR AND FROM

To sum up, SINCE used for the beginning of an action, FOR is used or the duration and FROM for the beginning and end of the action.

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