correct use of Since/for (practice)-2
Correct uses of since/for (practice)-1
Correct uses of since and for
Since/for
Using "Since/For" and Perfect Continuous Tenses Correctly
The correct usage of
"since" and "for" in perfect continuous tenses is crucial
for clear communication in English. Let's understand the rules governing their
usage:
1. "For" Usage:
"When a period of time is specified, we use 'for.' This indicates the
duration of the action without specifying the exact starting point."
Examples:
- We have been staying in the hotel for
one week.
- He had been working here for five years.
- They will have been studying for two
hours by 6 p.m.
- I have been reading for three hours.
- They had been playing for a long time.
2. "Since" Usage:
"When the starting time of the action is specified, we use 'since.' This
indicates the exact point in time when the action began."
Examples:
- I have been living in Delhi since
childhood.
- They had been opposing the new rules
since the beginning.
- I have been waiting for you since
Tuesday.
- We had been winning the competition
since 2008.
- He has been teaching in our school since
2010.
3. Avoiding Common Errors:
Understanding the distinctions between "since" and "for" is
crucial to avoid common errors in English usage. Misinterpreting their roles
can lead to confusion and ambiguity in communication.
a)
Incorrect: "I have been waiting for you
since two hours."
Correct:
"I have been waiting for you for two hours."
b)
Incorrect: "They have been studying for
Monday."
Correct:
"They have been studying since Monday."
c)
Incorrect: "She has been exercising since an hour."
Correct: "She has been exercising for an hour."
d)
Incorrect: "We've been
living in this neighborhood since two months."
Correct: "We've been
living in this neighborhood for two months."
e)
Incorrect: "He has been
working on the project since a long time."
Correct: "He has been working on the project for a long time."
By adhering to these
guidelines, you can effectively convey the duration or starting point of
ongoing actions in English with precision and clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1)
Can "since" and
"for" be used interchangeably?
No,
"since" and "for" have distinct meanings and cannot be used
interchangeably. "Since" indicates a specific starting point, while
"for" denotes duration.
2)
Are there any common mistakes to avoid
when using "since" and "for"?
Yes,
some common mistakes include:
a.
Incorrect: "I have been waiting for you
since two hours."
i. Correct:
"I have been waiting for you for two hours."
b.
Incorrect: "They have been studying for
Monday."
i. Correct:
"They have been studying since Monday."
3)
Can "since" be used with
future time references?
No,
"since" is used to refer to a starting point in the past. It is not
used with future time references.
4)
Can "for" be used with past
time references?
Yes,
"for" can be used with past, present, and future time references to
indicate duration.
5)
Are there any exceptions to the rules
for using "since" and "for"?
Generally,
the rules for using "since" and "for" are straightforward.
However, it's essential to remember that "since" is not used with
future time references, and "for" is not used to indicate a starting
point in the past.
For practice see
Future perfect continuous (practice)-2
Future Perfect continuous (practice)-1
Past continuous (practice)-2
Past continuous (practice)-1
Future perfect continuous
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The future perfect
continuous tense indicates actions that will be ongoing but not yet completed
at a specified future time. This article explores its usage, rules, and
sentence structures.
Key Rules:
- Verb Form:
Utilize the first form of the verb with 'ing' added.
- Helping Verbs:
Use 'shall have been' for 'I' and 'we,' and 'will have been' for all other
subjects.
- Time Indicators:
Use 'since' for the time of the beginning of the action and 'for' for the
duration of the action.
Sentence Structures:
- Affirmative Sentence:
Subject + shall have been / will have been + verb + object.
- Negative Sentence:
Subject + shall / will + not have been + verb + object.
- Interrogative Sentence:
Shall / will + subject + have been + verb + object?
- Negative Interrogative Sentence:
Shall / will + subject + not have been + verb + object?
Examples:
Affirmative:
- He will have been dancing for one hour.
- They will have been studying for the
exam since morning.
- The chef shall have been cooking the
meal for three hours by dinner time.
- The athletes will have been training for
the marathon for several weeks.
- She will have been working on the
project for a month by next Monday.
Negative:
- She will not have been sewing since
morning.
- They shall not have been practicing
football for the entire day.
- He will not have been waiting for the
bus for too long.
- The birds will not have been chirping
since dawn.
- We shall not have been traveling for
more than an hour.
Interrogative:
- Shall I have been waiting for you two
hours by 10 a.m.?
- Will they have been studying for the
test all night?
- Will she have been playing the piano for
an hour by the time we arrive?
- Shall he not have been swimming for an
hour?
- Will they have been rehearsing for the
play since last week?
Negative Interrogative:
- Will he not have been staying in the
hotel for two days?
- Shall we not have been discussing the
proposal for hours?
- Will the workers not have been
constructing the building for several months?
- Shall she not have been practicing yoga
for an hour?
- Will they not have been preparing for
the competition since last month?
FAQ:
- When do we use the future perfect
continuous tense?
- We use the future perfect continuous
tense to describe actions that will be ongoing over a period of time in
the future, leading up to a specific point or action.
- What are some common time indicators
used with the future perfect continuous tense?
- Common time indicators include 'since'
for the time of the beginning of the action and 'for' for the duration of
the action.
- Can contractions be used in the future
perfect continuous tense?
- Yes, contractions like 'won't have
been' (will not have been) and 'shan't have been' (shall not have been)
can be used in negative sentences for informal writing or speech.