The prepositions for, in, from and since can all refer to time.
Can you use them correctly?
Fill in the blanks
1I once studied classical music ............... about two years.
Wrong!
Use "for" with a length of time such as two years.
2I am going to Switzerland ............... the whole summer.
Wrong!
Use "for" to show that the stay lasts the whole summer.
3I will stay in Singapore ............... ten days.
Wrong!
Use "for" with a period of time such as ten days.
4We have known each other ............... our school days.
Wrong!
Use "since" with the starting point of a situation that continues to now.
5We have known each other ............... a long time.
Wrong!
Use "for" with a length of time such as a long time.
6It was the worst disaster ............... decades.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After a superlative, both "in" and "for" can refer to a period up to that time.
7She has been a go-getter ............... she was a child.
Wrong!
Use "since" before a past starting clause with the present perfect.
8............... now on, I am going to be punctual.
Wrong!
The fixed expression is "From" now on.
9I work ............... dawn to dusk.
Wrong!
Use "from" in the pattern from dawn to dusk.
10............... his earliest childhood, he hated cats.
Wrong!
Use "From" for the starting point of a past period.
11I will be home ............... Monday on.
Wrong!
The fixed expression is "from" Monday on.
12............... the dawn of civilization, people have fought wars.
Wrong!
Use "Since" with a starting point and the present perfect.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- I once studied classical music for about two years.
- I am going to Switzerland for the whole summer.
- I will stay in Singapore for ten days.
- We have known each other since our school days.
- We have known each other for a long time.
- It was the worst disaster in / for decades.
- She has been a go-getter since she was a child.
- From now on, I am going to be punctual.
- I work from dawn to dusk.
- From his earliest childhood, he hated cats.
- I will be home from Monday on.
- Since the dawn of civilization, people have fought wars.

