Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

hda · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 12

First of all, I'd like to thank you there, you've been helping me a lot!

Well, I'm trying to completely understand how to use the present perfect tenses. I still have some questions about it.

My difficulty is in the usage of the present perfect simple with "since" or "for". I know I should use it with stative verbs, but I also know we can use it with verbs such as "work", "study", "learn", and "tech". This is what I have questions about. What does this such as mean exactely. I mean, which verbs are those?

Thank you in advance.

Bob S. · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal

rice07 · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 385

Sorry to put in my two cents worth!

According to hda, I suppose Teacher Bob S. has already offered a precise solution to hda's question, but I don't think anyone would disagree that many hands make light work, which facilitates our English learning.

Hi Teacher Bob S.

If you don't mind, this is a follow-up for hda's reference.(Cited Practical English Usage as saying:)

For and since can both be used with a present perfect to talk about duration up to the present. They are not the same. Compare:

for + period

- I've known her for three days. (NOT ...since three days.)

- It's been raining for weeks.

since + starting point

- I've known her since Tuesday.

- It's been raining since the beginning of the month.

With a past perfect, for and since refer to duration up to a particular past moment.

- She'd been working there for a long time. (NOT ... since a long time.)

- She'd been working there since 1998.