For vs Since vs Ago — Time Duration Confusion
Spanish 'desde hace' doesn't map neatly to English time expressions
Category: Time Expressions
The Rule
'For' + duration (for two years). 'Since' + point in time (since 2020). 'Ago' = time back from now (two years ago). Spanish 'hace' and 'desde' distribute differently.
Why This Matters
Spanish: 'Vivo aquí desde hace 5 años' (one expression). English splits this: 'I have lived here for 5 years' (duration) or 'since 2019' (starting point). 'Hace 5 años' = '5 years ago' (with past simple). Spanish speakers confuse these three English expressions.
Examples
• I have lived here for 10 years. — "Vivo aquí desde hace 10 años." ['For' + duration period] • I have lived here since 2014. — "Vivo aquí desde 2014." ['Since' + specific point in time] • I moved here 10 years ago. — "Me mudé aquí hace 10 años." ['Ago' + past simple (completed action)]
Common Mistakes
❌ I live here since 10 years. ✅ I have lived here for 10 years. → Two errors: (1) 'since' needs a point, not duration — use 'for'. (2) Use present perfect with 'for/since', not present simple. ❌ I have lived here since 10 years. ✅ I have lived here for 10 years. → 'Since' + duration is wrong. 'Since' needs a specific time: since 2014, since January, since Monday.
Quick Tip
FOR + how long (for 3 days). SINCE + when it started (since Monday). AGO + past simple (3 days ago, I arrived). These three never interchange.
FOR + how long (for 3 days). SINCE + when it started (since Monday). AGO + past simple (3 days ago, I arrived). These three never interchange.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: I live here since 10 years. → Correct: I have lived here for 10 years.. Two errors: (1) 'since' needs a point, not duration — use 'for'. (2) Use present perfect with 'for/since', not present simple.
Incorrect: I have lived here since 10 years. → Correct: I have lived here for 10 years.. 'Since' + duration is wrong. 'Since' needs a specific time: since 2014, since January, since Monday.
Quiz
Complete: 'She has worked here ___ 2018.'