English Grammar: Since Usage

Questions and Answers

Which sentence correctly uses 'since' with a specific past year?

I last met Ramy since 2019.

I haven't seen Ali since 2015. (correct)

I haven't met Rania since 2020.

I have played since 2018.

What is the correct form to express a duration of time using 'for'?

I last went to the beach since 2017.

I have played for five years. (correct)

It's two years for my last visit.

I haven't seen Mona since 2016.

Which sentence demonstrates the correct negation with 'have not'?

I have not seen my friend ago 2012.

I haven't meet my friend since 2012.

I haven't saw my friend since 2012.

I have not seen my friend since 2012. (correct)

Which of these structures correctly follows the rule for 'last'?

The last time I saw Nora was in Cairo. Signup and view all the answers

How would you correctly state the beginning of an action using 'started'?

I started to work in 2020. Signup and view all the answers

What sentence correctly converts a past perfect statement to a simple past?

I last met Ali when I was in Cairo. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences correctly indicates an action ongoing since a specific past instance?

I have been working here since 2015. Signup and view all the answers

Which option contains the correct use of 'ago'?

I last visited him two years ago. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the correct use of 'since' in a negative context.

I haven't seen him since he was young. Signup and view all the answers

Select the sentence that correctly uses the combination of past actions and 'when'.

I was in Cairo when I last met Ramy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Usage of "Since" and "For"

"Since" indicates a specific point in time when an action or event started.
"For" refers to the duration of time that has passed up to the present.

Examples of "Since"

"I haven't seen him since he was young" – emphasizes the starting point of the absence.
"I haven't seen Ali since 2015" – uses a specific year as the reference point.
"It's 2 weeks since I met Rania" – combines present perfect with a specific duration.

Examples of "For"

"I haven't seen Mona for a year" – indicates the duration, without specifying when it started.
"I haven't met Rania for 2 weeks" – similarly highlights a period of time.

Transformations and Structures

Past perfect negative can be converted to simple past affirmative + "since" + time duration.
"I last met Ramy when I was in Cairo" can be rephrased as "I haven't met Ramy since I was in Cairo."

Structure Combinations

Simple past + "when" can be used interchangeably with "since."
"The last time I saw Nora was when I was in Cairo" can be rearranged to "I haven't seen Nora since I was in Cairo."

Time Expressions

"Last" or "the last time" indicates when something happened in the past.
"I last saw my friend in 2012" can be restated as "I haven't seen my friend since 2012."

Additional Usage Structures

"Started" or "began to" can be linked to an action with "in" or "ago."
"I started to work here in 2015" implies the beginning of an ongoing action or status.

Summary of Perfective and Simple Past Tenses

Perfect tenses express ongoing relevance or time linked to the present, while simple past indicates completed actions.
Using "since" specifies the starting point of a continuing action, while "for" measures the length of time.

Description

This quiz focuses on the correct usage of 'since' in English sentences. It explores various contexts, including time expressions and the transformation of verb tenses. Test your knowledge on how to effectively apply 'since' in your writing.