Since and for both introduce periods of time.
=> Since refers to the time period when something began. Use since when referring to a specific time period, time of day, or date: ◼ since 1995 ▶ since 11 a.m. yesterday ▶ since last year ▶ since the Renaissance
Examples with since: ▶ We've been living in Chicago since 1996. (specific time = since) ▶ I've been in Paris since last Monday, and I'm leaving tomorrow. (specific time = since) ▶ Jen has been watching TV since 5 o'clock. (specific time = since) Note: You will never use since + ago. We've been running this business since last year. (NOT: since one year ago)
=> For is used to express the duration (or length) of the activity. ▶ for two years ▶ for an hour ▶ for decades
Examples with for: ▶ We have been living in Chicago for ten years. (duration = for) ▶ I'll be in Paris for a week. (duration = for) ▶ I'll be out of the office for several hours. (duration = for)
Common expressions with since and for: ▶ Joan has been studying Chinese for ages, and she still doesn't speak it well! ( for ages = for a very long time) ▶ We'll be staying in this apartment for the time being. ( for the time being = for now; for a while) ▶ Since when do you wear perfume to school? ( since when = When did you start doing that?) ▶ Ever since you told me that Cindy likes to gossip, I haven't told her anything. (ever since = starting when; since the time when)
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