The prepositions for, in, from, and since can all refer to time. Can you use them correctly?
Fill in the blanks.
1I once studied the violin ............... six months.
Wrong!
Use "for" with a length of time such as six months.
2I have known him ............... our school days.
Wrong!
Use "since" with the starting point of a situation.
3That house has been empty ............... several years.
Wrong!
Use "for" with a period of time such as several years.
4How long have you been here ...............?
Wrong!
Use "for" when asking about the duration of an ongoing situation.
5He has not been in good health ............... he moved to the city.
Wrong!
Use "since" before a clause that gives the starting point of a situation.
6I am going to my hometown ............... the summer.
Wrong!
Use "for" when the phrase means during the whole summer period.
7They are getting married ............... July.
Wrong!
Use "in" before the name of a month.
8............... now on, I am going to go jogging every day.
Wrong!
The fixed expression is "From" now on.
9The shop was open ............... six in the morning until noon.
Wrong!
Use "from" to show the starting time in a simple past sentence.
10Trees shed their leaves ............... autumn.
Wrong!
Use "in" before the name of a season.
11I have been working ............... 10 o'clock, and I am getting tired.
Wrong!
Use "since" with a starting time in the present perfect continuous.
12I have known her ............... Monday.
Wrong!
Use "since" with a starting point such as Monday.
Answers
- I once studied the violin for six months.
- I have known him since our school days.
- That house has been empty for several years.
- How long have you been here for?
- He has not been in good health since he moved to the city.
- I am going to my hometown for the summer.
- They are getting married in July.
- From now on, I am going to go jogging every day.
- The shop was open from six in the morning until noon.
- Trees shed their leaves in autumn.
- I have been working since 10 o’clock, and I am getting tired.
- I have known her since Monday.