What happens in the video
In the Short, Hana tells Theo, "I waited since two hours," and says his cake is now hers. Theo is confused and asks what time "two hours" is. Then he understands that Hana waited for two hours while he fell asleep on his keyboard, and Hana tells him she used the time to finish his logo.
1 Not for a long time.
Tone Relaxed, not exact
Use this short answer when something hasn't happened in a while and you don't want to give an exact number. If you know the exact time, use a number instead, as in "for six months."
Not for a long time.
For example:
A: Have you been back to your old school?
B: Not for a long time.
2 For two hours.
Tone Clear and exact
Use for plus a number to say how long something lasted. It's a natural short answer to "How long?" Don't use since here, because two hours is a length of time, not a starting point.
For two hours, sir.
For example:
A: How long did the meeting last?
B: For two hours.
A: No wonder you look tired.
3 But that's just since yesterday.
Tone Strong, a bit annoyed
Use since with a point in time, like yesterday, to say when something started. Here the speaker sounds a little annoyed because the time feels short. Say it calmly if you are only giving information.
But that's just since yesterday.
For example:
A: You've been in a bad mood all week.
B: But that's just since yesterday.
4 I've been waiting since three o'clock.
Tone Exact, a little impatient
Use since with a clock time to show when your waiting started and that it is still going on. It works well when someone is late. With a friend, it can sound like a complaint, so watch your voice.
For example:
A: Sorry, the bus was late.
B: I've been waiting since three o'clock.
A: I know. Coffee is on me.
5 We've known each other for years.
Tone Warm and general
Use for years when the exact number doesn't matter. It's friendly and common when you introduce an old friend. Don't say "since years."
For example:
A: How do you two know each other?
B: We've known each other for years. We met at university.
6 I haven't seen her since Monday.
Tone Neutral, factual
Use since with a day when you say the last time something happened. It fits negative sentences well. If you want to give the length instead, say "for three days."
For example:
A: Is Mia still sick?
B: I don't know. I haven't seen her since Monday.
7 How long have you been here?
Tone Friendly, curious
Ask this to find out the length of time. The answer usually uses for or since: "For an hour" or "Since lunch." Don't ask "Since when are you here?" in a normal conversation.
For example:
A: How long have you been here?
B: Since lunch. So, for about two hours.
8 It's been two hours since you called.
Tone Calm but pointed
Use this pattern to count the time from an event until now: length of time, then since, then the event. It's useful when you want to remind someone, gently or not so gently, that time has passed.
For example:
A: Is the taxi coming?
B: It's been two hours since you called. I don't think so.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
I waited since two hours.Better I waited for two hours.
Two hours is a length of time, so it needs for. Since needs a starting point, like 3 o'clock or yesterday. This is exactly what confuses Theo in the Short.
-
Not quite
I live here since 2020.Better I've lived here since 2020.
When an action started in the past and continues now, English usually uses the present perfect (have or has + past participle) with since and for.
-
Not quite
I've been here since a long time.Better I've been here for a long time.
A long time is a length of time, not a moment, so use for. The film line "Not for a long time" shows the correct pattern.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
Choose the correct sentence.
- I waited since two hours.
- I waited for two hours.
- I waited from two hours.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: I waited for two hours. Two hours is a length of time, so it takes for.
-
Which word completes the sentence? "I haven't eaten ___ breakfast."
- for
- since
- during
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: since Breakfast is a point in time when something started, so it takes since.
-
Your friend asks if you still play tennis, and you can't remember the last time. Which answer fits best?
- Not for a long time.
- Not since a long time.
- For two hours.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: Not for a long time. It gives a relaxed answer without an exact number and uses for correctly.
-
How does "But that's just since yesterday" sound in the movie line?
- Strong and a bit annoyed
- Shy and quiet
- Very formal and polite
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: Strong and a bit annoyed The speaker pushes back by pointing out that the time is short.
-
Which sentence counts time from an event until now?
- It's been two hours since you called.
- It's been since two hours you called.
- It's for two hours you called.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: It's been two hours since you called. The pattern is length of time, then since, then the event.
Questions learners ask
Is "since two hours" ever correct in English?
No. Two hours is a length of time, so English uses for: "for two hours." Some other languages use one word for both ideas, which is why learners say "since two hours." If you want since, use a starting point: "since 3 o'clock."
What is the easiest way to choose between since and for?
Ask what comes after the word. If it answers "How long?" (two hours, a week, years), use for. If it answers "From when?" (Monday, 2020, yesterday), use since.
Which tense do I use with since and for?
When the action started in the past and is still true now, English usually uses the present perfect, such as "I've worked here since May" or "I've worked here for six months." For a finished action, the past simple works with for: "I waited for two hours."
Can I say "for a long time" and "since a long time"?
Only "for a long time" is correct, because a long time is a length, not a starting point. You can also say "for ages" or "for years" in casual speech.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Theo are animated characters made with Google Flow.
