QuickenBrain

Since, for, ago

VerbsRule 3 of 10

The rule

Use "since" with a starting point ("since 2019") and "for" with a length of time ("for three years"). "Ago" counts back from now and comes after the time: "three years ago". Mixing them ("since three years") is always wrong.

Wrong and right

  1. Wrong I have lived here since three years.

    Right I have lived here for three years.

  2. Wrong She has worked there for 2021.

    Right She has worked there since 2021.

  3. Wrong I met him before three years.

    Right I met him three years ago.

  4. Wrong I know him since ten years.

    Right I have known him for ten years.

  5. Wrong It happened ago two years.

    Right It happened two years ago.