Since vs For — Explained Simply - LANGUAGE SCHOOL by TYMUR LEVITIN

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One of the most common mistakes English learners make is confusing since and for. Both are used to talk about time, but they are not the same. Let’s clear it up once and for all.

The Core Difference

Since = the starting point of an action.
For = the duration of an action.

Think of it this way: since answers when it started, and for answers how long it lasted.

Using Since

We use since to refer to the exact point in time when something began.

Examples:

I have lived here since 2010.
She has worked at this company since May.
They have been friends since childhood.

Using For

We use for to show the length of time.

Examples:

I have lived here for 15 years.
She has worked at this company for six months.
They have been friends for a long time.

Common Mistakes Learners Make

❌ I’ve lived here since 10 years.
✔️ I’ve lived here for 10 years.

❌ She has worked here for 2015.
✔️ She has worked here since 2015.

Comparison with Other Languages

In German, the difference is similar: seit is used for both “since” and “for,” so the context decides.
In Spanish, desde (since) and por (for) show the same split as in English.
Ukrainian and Russian often use one construction (“з 2010 року” / “с 2010 года”), which can confuse learners when switching to English.

Practical Tips

If you see a date, year, month, or event → use since.
If you see a number of hours, days, years → use for.
Check: since = point, for = period.

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Conclusion

Since and for are not difficult once you remember the key: one shows the starting point, the other shows the duration. With practice, choosing the right word will become automatic.