Since, For and Ago: Getting Time Expressions Right
When to use since, for and ago, which tense each one needs, and the mistakes that appear in almost every A2–B2 text.
Since, for and ago all talk about time, and Turkish uses one structure (-den beri, dir) for situations English splits in three. The result: some of the most frequent tense errors in student writing.
For + a period of time
How long? for two years, for ten minutes, for a long time
I have lived here for five years.
Since + a point in time
From when? since 2020, since Monday, since I was a child
I have lived here since 2021.
Ago + past simple
How long before now? two years ago, a week ago
I moved here five years ago.
The tense rule
| Expression | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| for / since (still true now) | present perfect | I have known her for years. |
| ago | past simple | I met her ten years ago. |
I am living here since 2020. I live here for five years. I have moved here two years ago.
I have lived here since 2020. I have lived here for five years. I moved here two years ago.
Duration in the past
For also works with the past simple when the situation is finished:
I lived in Ankara for three years, then we moved to İzmir.
Quick self-check
Find every since, for + time and ago in your text. Check: since/for → has/have + past participle (if still true); ago → past simple, never present perfect.
Quick practice
Fill in the gaps, then check.
- I've lived here 2019.
- I've lived here five years.
- I moved here five years .
- She has worked here January.
- I haven't seen him a long time.