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Use of “since” and “for”
NRP : 7110040004
Class : 1 D4 Elektronika A
Used to and would appeared in the English at different points in time and from different
language sources:
The verb is said to be an adaptation of the Old French verb user meaning, "to follow a
usage or custom", which became a regular feature of the English language some time
around 1400.
Employed in the sense "to be in the habit of" or " a habit or state that existed in the past".
This form is claimed to be one of the most common habitual constructions and used in
preference to the preterite. Having no present tense form in present-day English its use is
confined to the past tense. It is maintained that, whilst there has been little apparent change
in its meaning since its adoption into the English language, its usage has been extended.
That is to say: from employment with solely human subjects to subjects of all kinds; and
from describing a purely habitual action to employment with stative verbs.
Learners (and even some native speakers) get confused about the term 'used to'. They often
get confused about when 'used' is appropriate and when 'use' is appropriate.
The expression 'used to' is appropriate when we are making a positive statement about
events in the past. We often use it to refer to repeated actions that happened in the
past.
* When I lived in Brazil, I used to go diving every weekend (but I don't now).
* There used to be some wonderful old houses over by the river (but there aren't now).
* I used to be a professor but now I'm retired.
On occasions, it can be used for negative statements but this tends to be more formal
and so is less frequent.
* She's friendly now but we used not to like each other. (We do like each other now.)
* When I was young I used to play with my robot. = When I was young I would play
with my robot.
If you want to talk about repeated states or habits in the past, you must use used to,
you cannot use would .
* I used to smoke.
You should use 'use to' without a d in sentences when it follows 'did' or 'didn't' (don't worry
too much about this because lots of people get it wrong).
The question form is ‘Did you use to…?'. When asking a closed question you put
did/didn't in front of the subject followed by use to, you cannot use would.
Also when asking questions about states in the past you cannot use would.
* What sort of things did you use to like when you were young?
If I said I wouldn't play with my robot. It would mean I refused to play with my robot.
Note :
The general rule is when there is did or didn't in the sentence, we say use to (without
d) when there is no did or didn't in the sentence, we say used to (with d).
The present tense with For refers to a period of time that extends into the future.
Uses of For
Example sentence Verb Tense
They exercise for two hours every day. Present tense
They are exercising for three hours today. Present continuous
He has lived in Moscow for a long time. Present perfect
He has been living in Turin for three months. Present perfect continuous
I worked at the service station for five years. Past tense
He will be in hospital for at least a week. Future tense
However, we don't use For with expressions such as all day or all the time.
Since gives the starting point of actions, events or states. It refers to when things began.
With since we use the present perfect tense or the past perfect tense.
Since can also be used in the structure It has been + period of time + since.
Knowing when to use FOR and when to use SINCE is important. Therefore it is useful to
look at a summary of the contrast between FOR and SINCE.
FOR to mention a specific period (or SINCE to mention the starting point of a
duration) of time. period of time (continues to now).
I have been a doctor for fifteen years. I have been a doctor since 1992. (starting point =
(duration = 15 years) 1992)
She has been pregnant since her first child was
She has been a mother for six months.
born.
My sister has lived in Frankfurt for nine My sister has lived in Frankfurt since the
months. beginning of March.
Dialog
Example Problems
Put the verb in the correct tense and complete where necessary with SINCE or FOR.
8. I will never get used to ……… nights. I much prefer working days.
a. work b. working
9. When I worked in the city, I used to ……. really early to commute to work.
a. get up b. getting up
10. Are you getting used to ……. in your new house yet?
a. live b. living
11. Since I retired from my job, I can’t get used to ……… nothing to do all day.
a. having b. have
12. In my last job I used to …… a suit and tie. Now I wear jeans.
a. wear b. wearing
13. I was just getting used to ……… glasses when I changed to contact lenses.
a. wear b. wearing
a. work b. working
15. She isn't used to ……. on her own. The house feels quite empty. (LIVE)
a. live b. living
Key Answer