For and since
We use for and since to say how long:
* Helen is Ireland. She has been there | for three days | since Monday
We use for + a period of time (three days / two years etc):
* Richard has been in Canada for six months (not since six months).
* We've been waiting for two hours (not since two hours).
* I've lived in London for a long time.
We use since + start of period (Monday / 9 o'clock etc):
* Richard has been in Canada since January. (= from January to now):
* We've been waiting since 9 o'clock. (= from 9 o'clock to now):
* I've lived in London since I was ten years old.
Ago
ago = before now.
* Susan started her new job three weeks ago. (= three weeks before now).
* When did Tom go out? Ten minutes ago. (= ten minutes before now).
* I had dinner an hour ago.
* Life was very different a hundred years ago.
We use ago with the past (started / did / had / was etc).
Compare ago and for:
* When did Helen arrive in Ireland? She arrived in Ireland three days ago.
* How long has she been in Ireland? She has been in Ireland for three days.
Make sentences with For or Since:
1. Helen has been in Ireland since Monday.
2. Helen has been in Ireland for three days.
3. My aunt has lived in Australia for 15 years.
4. Tina is in her office, She has been there since 7 o'clock.
5. India has been an independent country since 1947.
6. The bus is late. We've been waiting for 20 minutes.
7. Nobody lives in those houses. They have been empty for many years.
8. Michael has been ill for a long time. He has been in hospital since October.
Question and answers use Ago:
1. When was your last meal? Three hours ago.
2. When was the last time you were ill? A year Ago.
3. When did you last go to the cinema?A few weeks ago.
4. When was the last time you were in a car? Two hours ago.
5. When was the last time you went to holiday? Six months ago.
Make sentences. Use for or ago.
1. Helen arrived in Ireland three days ago.
2. Helen has been in Ireland for three days.
3. Lynn and Mark have been married for 20 years.
4. Lynn and Mark got married 20 years ago.
5. Dan arrived an hour ago.
6. I bought these shoes since a few days ago.
7. Silvia has been learning English for six months.
8. Have you known Lisa for a long time?
Make sentences with For or Since.
1. Helen has been in Ireland for three days.
2. Jack has been here since Tuesday
3. It's been raining for an hour.
4. I've known sue since 2010.
5. Claire and Matt have been married for six months.
6. Laura has been studying medicine (at university) for three years.
7. David has played / David has been playing the piano since he was seven years old.
Make sentences about myself:
1. I've lived in this town for three years.
2. I've been in the same job for ten years.
3. I've been learning English for six months.
4. I've known Chris for a long time.
5. I've had a headache since I got up this morning.
