Present perfect with for and since

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

The present perfect for things that started in the past and are still true: how long, for and since, and when to use the past simple instead (When…? … ago). From spotting time phrases in a short text to a conversation, and an interview about each other's lives.

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Free, no card needed. The PDF has every slide, the homework and an answer key.

has runsinceforago

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2Spot for and sinceGrammar exercise
  3. 3Still true, or finished?Grammar rule
  4. 4Still true, or finished?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Same meaning, new sentenceGrammar exercise
  6. 6Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  7. 7Present perfect or past simple?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Listen: Grace's secretListening comprehension
  9. 9Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  10. 10Interview: a life timelineSpeaking practice
  11. 11About youGrammar exercise
  12. 12Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: choose the right answerGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: ask how longGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: a place or a personDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Where do you live now? Do you like it there?
  2. What is something you have owned for a very long time?
  3. Is there a hobby or a sport that you have enjoyed for many years?

Grammar rule

Still true, or finished?

Still true now: the present perfect

Mr. Okafor has run the store for thirty-two years. (He still runs it.)

Finished: the past simple

He opened the store thirty-two years ago. · He lived in Lagos for ten years before that. (He does not live there now.)

for, since, ago

  • for + how long: for six months, for a long time
  • since + when it started: since September, since he got married
  • ago + the past simple: two years ago, a long time ago

Two questions

  • How long have you known him? For years. / Since we were in school.
  • When did you meet him? In college. / Ten years ago.
Not I know him for ten years or I have met him ten years ago. Say I have known him for ten years and I met him ten years ago.

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