Lesson 23: Unit 81 - How Long/Since/For

About this lesson

In this lesson you will learn how to use "How long", "Since" and "For" correctly in English. "Since" marks the beginning of a period (a specific moment in the past), while "for" expresses the length of the period. "How long" is the question we use to ask about that period. You will master the structures with the Present Perfect and learn to tell the exact starting moment apart from the length of the period. By practising realistic dialogues and exercises, you will become confident in forming questions and answers about how long actions last.

40 minutes

What you'll learn

• Understand the difference between 'since' (beginning of a period) and 'for' (length of a period)
• Use 'how long' correctly with the Present Perfect to ask about a period of time
• Form questions and answers with 'for' and 'since' in the context of the Present Perfect
• Recognise when 'for' is also used in other tenses (Present Simple, Past Simple)
• Understand and use key expressions from the dialogue between Adam and Daniel

Lesson vocabulary

• since I've known him since January.
• for I've studied English for five months.
• how long How long have you known Martin?
• to know How long have you known her?
• to happen A lot of things have happened for several months.
• outskirts Do you still live in that large old house in the outskirts?
• convenient It's much easier and more convenient for Diana to go to work.
• downtown We've moved to a flat downtown.
• advertisement I've looked at job advertisements in Internet.
• to manage I haven't managed to change it yet.
• honeymoon I'll phone you when we get back from our honeymoon.
• invitation Thanks for the invitation.
• comfortable It's a small but warm and comfortable flat.
• curious I'm curious to hear about all of them.
• congratulations Congratulations! That's fantastic.

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In other languages: Български