For и since / When ... ? и How long ... ?
Мы используем for и since, чтобы сказать о том, как долго (how long) что-либо происходит (has been happening).
Мы используем for + промежуток времени (two hours, six weeks и др.):
Мы используем since + начало промежутка времени (8 o’clock, Monday, 2009 и др.):
- I’ve been waiting for two hours.
- I’ve been waiting since 8 o’clock.
for
20 minutes
five days
six months
50 years
ages
years
since
Monday
12 May
1985
Christmas
we arrived
I got up
- Sally has been working here for six months. (not
since six months) - I haven’t seen Tom for three days. (not
since three days)
- Sally has been working here since April. (= from April until now)
- I haven’t seen Tom since Monday. (= from Monday until now)
Можно не включать for в предложение (но обычно не в отрицательных предложениях и лучше не привыкать к этому):
- They’ve been married (for) ten years. (с или без for)
- They haven’t had a holiday for ten years. (здесь for обязательно)
For и all ... (all day / all my life и др.) вместе не используются:
- I’ve lived here all my life. (not
for all my life)
Сравните when ... ? (+ past simple) и how long ... ? (+ present perfect):
A: When did it start raining?
B: It started raining an hour ago / at 1 o’clock.
A: How long has it been raining?
B: It’s been raining for an hour / since 1 o’clock.
A: When did Joe and Carol first meet? | ||
B: They first met | { | a long time ago. |
when they were at school. |
A: How long have they known each other? | ||
They’ve known each other | { | for a long time. |
since they were at school. |
Мы говорим ‘It’s (a long time / two years etc.) since something happened’:
- It’s two years since I last saw Joe. (= I haven’t seen Joe for two years = Я не видел Джо два года.)
- It’s ages since we went to the cinema. (= We haven’t been to the cinema for ages = Мы уже целую вечность не были в кино)
Вы можете спросить ‘How long is it since ... ?’:
- How long is it since you last saw Joe? (= When did you last see Joe? = Когда ты последний раз видел Джо?)
- How long is it since Mrs Hill died? (= When did Mrs Hill die? = Когда умерла миссис Хилл?)
Вы также можете сказать ‘It’s been (= It has been) ... since ... ’:
- It’s been two years since I last saw Joe.
Упражнения
1. Выберите for или since.
2. Напишите вопросы с how long и when.
- It’s raining.
(how long?)
(when?)
- Kate is learning Japanese.
(how long / learn?)
(when / start?)
- I know Simon.
(how long / you / know?)
(when / you / first / meet?)
- Rebecca and David are married.
(how long?)
(when?)
3. Прочитайте ситуации и закончите предложения.
- It’s raining. It’s been raining since lunchtime. It at lunchtime.
- Ann and Sue are friends. They first met years ago. They’ve years.
- Joe is ill. He became ill on Sunday. He has Sunday.
- Joe is ill. He became ill a few days ago. He has a few days.
- Liz is married. She’s been married for a year. She got .
- You have a headache. It started when you woke up. I’ve I woke up.
- Sue has been in Italy for the last three weeks. She went .
- You’re working in a hotel. You started six months ago. I’ve
4. Напишите предложения B, используя слова в скобках.
- A: Do you often go on holiday?
B: (no / five years) ...
- A: Do you often see Sarah?
B: (no / about a month) ...
- A: Do you often go to the cinema?
B: (no / a long time) ...
- A: Do you often eat in restaurants?
B: (no / ages) ...
Теперь снова напишите ответы B, в этот раз используя It’s ... since ... .