For vs Since Quiz (With Answers and Explanations)
If you confuse for and since, you’re not alone. Many English learners find it difficult to know which one to use, even after learning the rules. This quiz will help you test your understanding of for and since with 10 multiple-choice questions. After each answer, you’ll see a clear explanation of the grammar rule and why for or since is the correct answer. If you need a refresher, you can also review the key rules for using for and since after the quiz.
Take the For vs Since Quiz
Review: For vs Since Rules
When to Use For
Use for when you are talking about a period (length) of time. For tells us how long something has happened or lasted. For example, for 10 minutes, for three hours, for a week, for two years, and for a long time.
Example Sentences:
- I have lived here for five years.
- She has been waiting for an hour.
- We talked for a long time.
- Craig has worked here for two weeks.
- I haven’t had coffee for two years.
When to Use Since
Use since when you are talking about a starting point in time. Since tells us when something began. For example, since Monday, since 2012, since March, since last week, since yesterday, and since 9 a.m.
Example Sentences:
- I have lived here since 2019.
- She has been waiting since 9 a.m.
- We have known each other since high school.
- I haven’t eaten since yesterday.
- Tom and Sarah have been married since 2018.
Tip: How to Remember the Difference
If you’re not sure whether to use for or since, remember:
- Period (length) of time → for
- Starting point in time → since
A memory trick that has helped many of my students is to remember that Starting Point and Since both begin with the letter S. So, if a sentence is talking about a starting point in time, use since.