For and since – C
We miss out ‘for‘
- when using phrases with ‘all’:
She’s known us all our lives.
We’ve been working all day.
You can often miss out ‘for’,
- but not in negative sentences:
They’ve been married (for) a fortnight.
We haven’t seen her for years. (You must use for because it’s negative)
since
We say "It’s a long time since something happened".
It’s two years since she went to India. (= She went to India two years ago.)
It’s a good five years since they divorced.(= It’s at least five years ago that they divorced.)
It’s ages since Julia called round. (= Julia hasn’t been to visit us for a very long time.)
How long is it since we went to the Lake District? (= How long ago did we go to the Lake District?)
How long is it since the house came onto the market? (= When did the house come up for sale?)
Check previous points about ‘since’ and ‘for’ and also the points above:
1. [Multiple choice]
Sarah and Assan have been married …. a year and a half.
Answers for Quiz [1].
- 1. for (correct)
- 2. since
2. [Multiple choice]
It’s five months …. he had a weekend off.
Answers for Quiz [2].
- 1. for
- 2. since (correct)
3. [Multiple choice]
It’s this new contract – he’s been overworked …. a very long time.
Answers for Quiz [3].
- 1. for (correct)
- 2. since
4. [Multiple choice]
He hasn’t had a proper break …. nearly six months.
Answers for Quiz [4].
- 1. for (correct)
- 2. since
5. [Multiple choice]
Sarah’s hardly spoken to her mother …. the wedding.
Answers for Quiz [5].
- 1. for
- 2. since (correct)
6. [Multiple choice]
It’s a year …. I wrote to them, and they’ve still not replied.
Answers for Quiz [6].
- 1. for
- 2. since (correct)
7. [Multiple choice]
They’ve neither of them seen any of their friends …. ages.
Answers for Quiz [7].
- 1. for (correct)
- 2. since
8. [Multiple choice]
They haven’t even been out for a meal …. weeks.
Answers for Quiz [8].
- 1. for (correct)
- 2. since
9. [Multiple choice]
“How long is it …. you saw either of them?”
Answers for Quiz [9].
- 1. for
- 2. since (correct)