Since and for both appear with time, but they answer two different questions: since answers when it started, for answers how long.
Since is followed by a specific starting point in time.
since full definition →
For is followed by a length or duration of time.
for full definition →
| since | for | |
|---|---|---|
| Answers | When did it start? | How long has it lasted? |
| Followed by | A point in time: a year, a day, an event | A length of time: five years, a week |
| Simple test | "since 2019" is a starting point | "for five years" is a duration |
Since points to when something started. For measures how long it has lasted.
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