Complete Grammar Syllabus (145 Units)

Grammar Mastery

Comprehensive reference, real-world IELTS band-boosting tips, clear structural formulas, and interactive short quizzes for intermediate to advanced English learners.

For and Since / How long have you ... ?

Expressing durations starting in the past and continuing until now. Using "for" with periods of time and "since" with starting points.

Core Structure & Formula

For + Period of time (for two hours, for six months, for 10 years, for ages)

Since + Starting point (since 8 o'clock, since Monday, since 2010, since I started university)

Structure: It's + time period + since + Past Simple ("It's two years since I last visited home")

AFor vs. Since

Use 'for' when stating the total length of time. Use 'since' when naming the specific moment the action began.

•Amara has been working at the research institute for six months. (not since six months)

•Amara has been working there since April. (= from April until now)

•I haven't spoken to my tutor since Monday.

•We've been queuing for two hours.

BWhen ... ? vs. How long ... ?

'When' asks about a finished past starting point (+ past simple). 'How long' asks about duration continuing to the present (+ present perfect).

•When did the construction start? - It started six months ago.

•How long has the construction been going on? - It's been going on for six months / since March.

CSpecial structure: It's [period] since [past action]

A high-level pattern to express elapsed time since an event last occurred.

•It's two years since I last visited my hometown. (= I haven't visited for two years)

•It's been ages since we attended a live lecture.

IELTS Band 7–9 Exam Impact

High scoring structure for IELTS Speaking Part 1 personal background ("I have been studying engineering for three years").

Common Candidate Errors

✗ I am living here since five years.

✓ I have been living here for five years.

Duration continuing until now requires present perfect + 'for' (not 'since').

✗ I live here for three years.

✓ I have lived here for three years.

Present simple cannot be used to express ongoing duration.

Unit 12 Interactive Short Quiz

Test your understanding with 3 verified practice exercises.

Question 1 of 3

Farid has lived in Canada ______ ten years.

Question 2 of 3

Priya has been researching this topic ______ she started her master's degree.

Question 3 of 3

It's five years ______ I last visited my grandparents.