Since vs for: what's the difference?

since / for

grammar (time)/sɪns, fɔː/ 🔊 listen

since and for are both used for time, but differently: for = a duration (how long), since = a starting point (from when).

1for = duration (how long)

"for two years, for an hour" — (a length of time)

2since = starting point (from when)

"since 2020, since Monday" — (a point in time)

3Tip: number + time unit → for

"I've lived here for 5 years." — (duration)

4Tip: a specific moment → since

"I've lived here since 2019." — (starting point)

for → durationsince → start pointwith present perfect

❓ Which is correct: “___ 2020”?