5 Questions
Which preposition is used to indicate the duration of an action that started in the past and continues until the present?
for
In the statement 'She has been playing tennis for two hours', what does the use of 'for' imply?
She started playing tennis two hours ago and is still playing.
Which preposition is used to indicate a specific starting point in the past from which an action began and continues until the present?
since
In the statement 'They have lived in this house since they got married', what does the use of 'since' imply?
They moved into the house after getting married, and they still live there.
Which of the following statements correctly uses 'for' with the present perfect tense?
They have been running a successful business for ten years.
Study Notes
Using 'for' and 'Since' in the Present Perfect
In English grammar, the present perfect tense is employed for expressing actions that have occurred in the past but have relevance to the current moment. Two prepositions commonly used with the present perfect are 'for' and 'since', which help establish a temporal frame for the past action. Here's an overview of how these prepositions are utilized within the context of the present perfect tense.
Usage of 'for' in Present Perfect
The preposition 'for' is accompanied by the present perfect tense to indicate that an action started in the past and continues until now. It allows us to specify the duration of a particular event or state. Here's an example:
Statement: She has been playing tennis for two hours. Here, 'for' tells us that the subject has been engaged in the activity of playing tennis since a point in time in the past and is still doing so currently.
Usage of 'since' in Present Perfect
On the other hand, 'since' is used to indicate a period of time elapsed between the past action and the present moment. It typically refers to a specific starting point from which the action began in the past and is ongoing or completed up to the current moment. Here's an example:
Statement: They have lived in this house since they got married. In this case, 'since' implies that the couple moved into the house after getting married, and their residence in the house continues up to the present moment.
By incorporating these prepositions into sentences written in the present perfect tense, we can provide precise information about the duration or timeframe within which the actions occurred. This helps create a clear picture of the relationship between the past and present while emphasizing the relevance of those events to the current context.
Learn how to correctly use 'for' and 'since' in sentences in the present perfect tense to specify the duration or starting point of actions that occurred in the past and are relevant to the current moment. Explore examples and understand the nuances of these prepositions within the context of the present perfect.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
