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WHICH WORD? for / since

UPDATED: AUGUST 2020

for

= duration or period of time

= 5 days, 2 weeks, many months, several years, most of my life, a long time.)

= usually used with a number (for 10 days, for 2 years)

NOTE:
You can use with All tenses.

NOTE:
Usually answers the question “How long”.

EXAMPLES:

How long did you work in New York? For five years.

How long have you worked in New York? For five years.
How long have you worked in New York? Since 2007.

since

= a specific time in the past (last week, last month, last year, March, 1999)

NOTE:
You can’t use with simple present tense.

“I work with her for a long time.” <= incorrect

NOTE:
You must use Present Prefect of Prefect Continuous

EXAMPLES:

She has worked in New York since before 9/11.

She has worked in New York for 5 years.
She has been working in New York for 5 years.