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7. Present Perfect with for and since: We also use the Present Perfect to talk about the duration of actions which began in the past and continue in the present. We use for with a period of time to indicate the duration of the action and since with the point in time when the action began: I have a watch. Ive had it for three years. Ive had it since 1999.
LEVEL 2 INSTITUTO DE IDIOMAS UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA LEVEL 2 INSTITUTO DE IDIOMAS UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA LEVEL 2
I think I have delirium tremens. I havent had a drink for three hours. I havent had a drink since lunchtime. 8. We use How long . . ? to ask questions: How long have you been here? - For half an hour / Since 9:30. Notes a. You cannot use the present simple in these cases, i.e. you must say I have known him for 3 years, not I know him for three years. b. You cannot use since .. ago instead of for, i.e. you must say I have worked here for three years, not I have worked here since three years ago. c. You cannot use Since when ? instead of How long ? Since when have you lived in Seville? d. You can use a subordinate clause in the Past Simple after since, e.g. I have lived in this house since I was ten. e. Do not confuse How long ..? + Present Perfect with How long ago ..? + Past Simple. e.g. How long have you been here? - For half an hour. How long ago did you arrive? - Half an hour ago. f. You can only use since with the Present Perfect. For can be used with the Present Perfect for actions which are still continuing, and with the Past Simple for actions which have finished. Compare: Jose Luis Rodrguez Zapatero has been President of Spain for 5 years (and he is still President). He has been President since 2004. Jos M Aznar was President of Spain for eight years (but he isnt the President now). He was President from 1996 to 2004. g. Do not confuse for, which answers the question How long . . ? with during, which answers the question When . . ? h. We do not use for with expressions such as all day, all week etc. e.g. Im very hungry. I havent had anything to eat all day. i. British and American usage is the same with for and since.
FINAL NOTE: WHEN IN DOUBT, USE THE PAST SIMPLE. EXERCISES: A. Put the verb in brackets into the correct tense, incorporating adverbs in the correct place. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. He (do) the exam three times, but he (yet / pass) it. I (wait) for the bus for 15 minutes, but it (come), so I (take) a taxi. I (already / read) that book. I (like) it very much. (you / ever / eat) curry? Yes, I (have) it once at the Indian Pavilion in the Expo. Ouch! I (just / cut) my finger! How (you / do) that? What (you / do) over Christmas? Oh, I (have) a wonderful time.
B. Translate into English: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Desde cundo trabajas aqu? - Desde que termin la carrera. No hemos visto la Giralda todava. Dnde has encontrado las llaves? Hace tres meses que no fumo. Llevo 10 aos estudiando ingls pero no s nada. Acabo de ver a David. Hemos tomado caf juntos. No quiero comer nada. He desayunado muy tarde. Alguien ha roto esta silla. Quin ha sido?