“I am working here since three years.” Almost every intermediate learner I’ve taught has said something close to that. It feels right. It’s wrong on two counts — and the second one is usually the surprise.
Let me unpack both.
The rule in one line
If you can name when something started, use since. If you can only name how long it’s been going, use for.
Since 2019. ← starting point.
Since last March. ← starting point.
Since I graduated. ← starting point (an event in the past).
For three years. ← duration.
For a long time. ← duration.
For the past six months. ← duration.
The tense partner: present perfect (continuous)
This is where most learners lose marks. Since and for, when describing ongoing situations, demand a specific tense — usually present perfect or present perfect continuous.
Why? Because these tenses are designed to link a past starting point (or duration) to the present. They say: this started then, and it’s still true now.
Present perfect vs present perfect continuous
Both work with since and for. The difference is subtle — but worth knowing.
Present perfect continuous emphasises the activity is still happening:
- I’ve been working on this for three hours. (and I’m still at it)
- She’s been studying since 6 AM. (still studying right now)
Present perfect emphasises the result or state, not the active doing:
- I’ve worked at this company for ten years. (the fact of my employment)
- We’ve lived here since the kids were born.
With state verbs (know, have, own, believe, love) you almost always use present perfect, not continuous:
- I’ve known her for years. (never I’ve been knowing her)
- They’ve owned the house since 2010.
The “since” trap with past simple
Watch out for this twist: when since is followed by a completed past event (not just a year/date), the rest of the sentence still uses present perfect. But the event clause itself uses past simple.
- I have been calmer since I started yoga. (“started” = past simple; “have been” = present perfect)
- She has lived alone since her divorce.
- We haven’t spoken since we argued.
The pattern: [present perfect] + since + [past simple event].
“For” with other tenses
One twist: for can be used in other tenses too — it’s not locked to present perfect. The meaning shifts with the tense.
- I lived in Tokyo for two years. (past simple — I don’t live there now)
- I have lived in Tokyo for two years. (present perfect — I still live there)
- I will be away for a week. (future — a planned duration)
Since, by contrast, almost always pairs with present perfect when talking about something ongoing — because the start-point-to-now structure naturally demands it.
Quick reference cheat-sheet
Frequently asked questions
Can I say “I work here since 2020”?
No — that combines a starting point (“since 2020”) with present simple (“work”), which native ears reject. Use present perfect or present perfect continuous: “I have worked here since 2020” or “I have been working here since 2020.”
What’s the difference between “have lived” and “have been living”?
Almost none, in most contexts — both say you started living there at some point and still live there. “Have been living” hints at the action and may suggest it’s temporary; “have lived” is more neutral. Either works for “I’ve lived here for ten years.”
Why don’t we say “I have been knowing him”?
“Know” is a state verb — it describes a mental state, not an activity. State verbs (know, love, own, believe, understand) almost never appear in the continuous form. Use “have known” instead.
Is “since long” correct?
No — “long” is a duration, not a starting point, so use “for a long time”: “I’ve known her for a long time.” Or restructure: “It’s been a long time since I saw her.”