You use for and since to say how long something has been
happening.
Use for + a period of time (one hour, five weeks, etc.):
I’ve been
bingewatching Breaking Bad for four days.
I haven’t seen a
grammarillo for a week.
Use since + the start of a period (7 o’clock, Saturday,
1987, etc.):
I’ve been
bingewatching Breaking Bad since Thursday.
I haven’t seen a
grammarillo since June.
It’s possible to leave out for (but not usually in negative
sentences):
My parents have been
married (for) twenty-five years. (with or without for)
They haven’t had a
break for three hours. (you must use for)
Don’t use for + all … (all day, all my life, etc.):
Raoul has lived in
this area all his life. (not for all his life)
You can use in instead of for in negative sentences:
Alex hasn’t had a cold
in five years. (= for five years)
When …? (+ past simple) and How long …? (+ present perfect):
“When did it start
snowing?” “It started an hour ago /
at 10 o’clock.”
“How long has it been
snowing?” “It’s been snowing
for an hour / since 10 o’clock.”
Note that both the present simple and the present perfect
can be used in these cases:
It’s (= It is)
or It’s been (=It has been)
|
a long time
six months
etc.
|
since something
happened
|
It’s two months since
I saw a grammarillo. or It’s
been two years since ... (= I haven’t seen a grammarillo for two years.)
It’s ages since Dani
and Mia went to the cinema. or
It’s been ages since … (= They
haven’t been to the cinema for ages)
How long is it since
our birdie died? or How
long has it been since …? (=When did the birdie die?)
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