I’ve known Theo _______ 5 years. Is it for or since? Easy:
- I’ve known him for a long time, it seems.
- I’ve known him since he showed me his collection of old records and we discovered that we share a hobby.
- Incorrect: I know him for a long time -> I’ve known him for a long time.
Compare my chart for “until/ by”. I developed these charts a few years ago and get a lot of mileage out of them.

















Great chart Anne. I think this is difficult for most learners.
I’ve liked this blog for a few years.
I’ve been reading it since 2008.
Left by Neal Chambers on July 13th, 2010
Charmer
Left by Anne on July 13th, 2010
Hi Anne,
Hasn’t it unfurled itself now in all its majestic beauty??
Summer, I mean, of course!
Yes, I agree with Neal, great chart which I’ll be ‘borrowing’ – one of my groups last week was completely addled and frustrated re the great P.P. – and I’m looking forward to the others – by vs. until – for sure.
Left by joan on July 13th, 2010
[...] Grammar Guru: for or since? [...]
Left by Englischlinks der Woche (KW29) - Englisch lernen on July 18th, 2010
Hi Anne,
How are you. I hope that every thing is fine and I miss you so much.
All the best for the beautiful Anne.
Hassan
Left by Hassan Elsisi on July 20th, 2010
[...] Ferguson spricht also von einem Zustand, der in der Vergangenheit begonnen hat und noch anhält. Er verwendet daher das Present Perfect. Beide Sätze zeigen außerdem schön, wie man das deutsche Wort “seit” einmal mit for und einmal mit since übersetzt. Since wird verwendet, wenn sich das “seit” auf einen Zeitpunkt bezieht, for wird dagegen verwendet, wenn sich das “seit” auf einen Zeitraum bezieht. Mehr zu diesem Thema gibt es auch beim letzten Grammar Guru auf The Island Weekly. [...]
Left by Present Perfect mit Craig Ferguson und Justin Currie - Englisch lernen on August 24th, 2010