Present Perfect Continuous quiz – part 3 concerns the words for and since, without which it is difficult to tell how long something has been happening. It is one of the most frequently tested points on the eighth-grade exam.
Present Perfect Continuous quiz – for or since?
The rule is simple, but it causes trouble for Poles, because in Polish we simply say „od”:
- for + period of time: for two hours, for three months, for ages
- since + point in time: since Monday, since 2020, since half past four
- since + sentence in Past Simple: since she was ten
Examples: I’ve been learning to swim for three months. / They’ve been building the house since last spring.
Watch out for typical mistakes: since two hours, from three years or two hours ago in a sentence with Present Perfect Continuous – all are incorrect.
How to use the quiz?
Before each gap, ask yourself the question: “how long?” (for) or “since when?” (since). After an incorrect answer, you will receive a hint. After this Present Perfect Continuous quiz, proceed to part 4 – questions How long…?.