Flo-Joe for Cambridge English Exams

Cambridge English: Preliminary

Vocabulary practice for the Cambridge PET exam

Grammar: For and Since

1: Work it Out

We use 'for' and 'since' to talk about the passing of time but do you know the difference between them?

Look at these sentences. Pay attention to the words in bold and try to work out when we use 'for' and when we use 'since'.

I studied Spanish for 3 years.
We've lived here since we got married.
I haven't seen Steve since last summer.

Now try the quiz below to check your ideas.

2: Spot the Difference

Complete each of the following sentences using 'for' or 'since':

A) He hasn't played well a few weeks now.
B) It hasn't stopped raining we left the house.
C) I've been interested in gardening I was a child.
D) The car hasn't been working properly some time.
E) Steve hasn't smoked the baby was born.
F) I've been doing homework three hours.

Well done. We use FOR to mean a period of time, such as 'for a few weeks' or 'for three hours'. We use SINCE to mean from a point in the past to a time later. ' or 'since I was a child (until now)', It is generally used with the present perfect or past perfect tenses.We use FOR to mean a period of time, such as 'for a few weeks' or 'for three hours'. We use SINCE to mean from a point in the past to a time later. For example, 'since we left the house (until now)' or 'since I was a child (until now)', It is generally used with the present perfect or past perfect tenses.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

 

 

3: Sentence Transformation

For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.
Use no more than three words.

1. The last time I saw Sarah was at university.
I have not ........................................ university.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'SEEN SARAH SINCE'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

2. I last did a practice test 3 weeks ago.
I haven't done a practice test .........................................

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'FOR THREE WEEKS' of 'FOR 3 WEEKS.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

3. It's been ages since you did the washing up.
You haven't done any washing up ........................................ time.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'FOR A LONG'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

4. He started learning the guitar 4 years ago.
He has been learning the guitar ........................................ .

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'FOR FOUR YEARS' or 'FOR 4 YEARS.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

5. Ben last spoke Italian on holiday.
Ben has not ........................................ he was on holiday.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'SPOKEN ITALIAN SINCE'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

6. When did you last have a holiday?
How long is it ........................................ had a holiday.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'SINCE YOU' or 'SINCE YOU LAST'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

Study Tip, Grammar

Need more practice in 'for' and 'since'? Think about things you have been doing for some time or haven't done for a while. Write sentences using 'for' and 'since'.

* I've been learning English for 2 years.
* I've been living in Madrid since 2008.
* I haven't had any hobbies for a long time.
* I haven't done an English exam since I was at school.