Words Students Confuse - for, since and during

ScottsEnglishScottsEnglish Administrator Posts: 1,296 admin ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
edited April 2019 in Grammar
Students often make mistakes using the words for, since and during when talking about time. This explanation and exercise will help you to understand the difference between these three words.

First, for is used with a length of time. For example, "I have been living in Portsmouth for six years" and, "He has been playing trombone for three months now."

Since is used with a specific point in time. For example, "It has been cold since New Year's Day" and "She hasn't seen him since they finished high school"

During puts one activity in progress when another activity occurs. For example, "During the winter, we often go deer hunting" and, "All of the actors forgot their lines during the last act of the play."

Try the following sentences:

1. I haven't been to the doctor ______________ two years.
2. Are you working more _______________ your promotion to manager?
3. _______________ the basketball game there will be music from the band.
4. I have to work ______________ the holidays again.
5. _______________ his entire career he was the first person in the office.
6. _____________ when does the postman come in the morning?
7. I'll go to the bank ________________ my morning break.
8. Has anyone seen Jane _______________ Monday?
9. I played football ________________ a few years but I was injured.

Click here for the right answers!

1. I haven't been to the doctor for two years.
2. Are you working more since your promotion to manager?
3. During the basketball game there will be music from the band.
4. I have to work during the holidays again.
5. For his entire career he was the first person in the office.
6. Since when does the postman come in the morning?
7. I'll go to the bank during my morning break.
8. Has anyone seen Jane since Monday?
9. I played football for a few years but I was injured.


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