Since For Ago| English Grammar
In today’s lesson we will learn how to correctly use these three prepositions:
Since
For
Ago
#1 For is used to indicate a period of time
For is often used with the Present Perfect. The present perfect is used with past actions that are related to or continue into the present.
Examples:
I’ve been waiting for an hour.
I’ve been living in Maryland for a decade. A decade is 10 years.
I’ve been married for a long time.
When someone asks “How long have you lived here?”
I’ve lived in the US for 12 years.
How long have you been a plumber?
I’ve been a plumber for 10 years.
It can also be used with other verb tenses:
Present: I work out every day for 30 minutes.
Past: When I was a child I stayed with my grandparents for the summer.
Future: While I’m in New York, I will visit my cousins for a week.
#2 Since is used to refer to the starting point of actions or situations.
Use it with day/date/time
The Present Perfect is generally used in the main clause.
Examples:
I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast.
I have lived in the US since 2019.
This restaurant has been open since 2010.
#3 Ago is used to say when past events happened, going back from today towards the past.
The verb is in the Past Tense.
Examples:
- I came to New York two years ago.
- I arrived at the bus stop 10 minutes ago.
- I bought this car 10 years ago.
- I called my doctor an hour ago.
In the comments, answer the question: How long have you been studying English?
