Present perfect: for / since

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

Many communities have maintained their traditions for decades — sometimes for more than a century. First-generation immigrants typically keep strong ties to their home culture.

Grammar Reference · Present perfect: for / since

For — period of time

They have lived here for twenty years. — use for with a duration

Since — point in time

She has spoken Arabic since childhood. — use since with a starting point

For vs Since — quick

For three months. Since March. — for + period; since + moment

Common error

I know her since years. ✗ → I have known her for years. ✓ — use present perfect, not present simple

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Present perfect: for / since

1.This community its annual festival ... over thirty years.

2.My grandparents their heritage language ... they arrived in 1979.

3.Researchers immigrant cultural patterns ... more than a decade.

4.She strong ties to her roots ... she was a child.

5.These families their traditional recipes ... four generations.

6.The neighbourhood a strong cultural community ... the 1960s.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.She started learning her family's language in 2010. She still learns it.

2.They moved to Brazil fifteen years ago. They still live there.

3.He began cooking traditional food when he was young. He still cooks it.

4.The community started this festival in 1995. They still hold it every year.

5.My parents settled in this city thirty years ago. They still live here.

6.She began feeling a strong connection to her roots when she was a teenager. She still feels it.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

Present perfect: for / since01EnglishPlans.com