For Since 用法完全指南:定義、公式、差異辨析與練習
如何正確使用 since for 用法?這是英語學習者最常混淆的時間介係詞問題之一。 簡單來說,for since 用法的核心差異在於:Since 標示「時間起點」(從何時開始),搭配具體時間點如 2020、yesterday、last Monday; For 標示「時間長度」(持續多久),搭配數字加時間單位如 three years、two hours、six months。掌握這個基本原則,就能在 90% 的情況下做出正確選擇。
然而,真正的挑戰在於不同時態下的細微差異:為什麼 "I have worked here since 2020" 和 "I worked here for five years" 傳達的是完全不同的時間狀態?為什麼 Since 幾乎只能搭配完成式,而 For 卻能靈活運用於過去式、現在式、未來式?這些看似簡單的介係詞,實際上涉及英語時態系統的深層邏輯,也是 IELTS、TOEIC 考試中頻繁出現的考點,許多考生因為誤用而失分。
本文由 PREPEDU 英語教學團隊精心編撰,提供完整的 for since 用法解析,包含詳細定義、公式結構、八大類對照表、三十題實戰練習與詳解,協助你徹底掌握 for since 怎麼用,在日常溝通與英語檢定中精準表達時間概念,建立扎實的文法基礎。
I. For Since 用法的核心定義與詞性解析
理解 for since 用法的第一步,是釐清兩者的核心概念與實際應用場景。Since 與 For 在英語時間表達中扮演不同角色,分別標示時間的「起點」與「長度」。
1. Since 的定義:標示時間的起始點
Since 作為介系詞時,後方接明確的時間點,例如特定日期(2020 年 1 月 1 日)、時刻(早上八點)或事件(畢業後)。作為連接詞時,Since 引導一個時間子句,說明主要動作從哪個過去事件開始持續至今。無論哪種用法,Since 都與現在完成式密不可分,因為它本質上在描述一個「過去開始、現在仍在進行或影響現在」的狀態。這種時態特性使 Since 成為表達長期狀態或習慣的理想選擇,特別是在描述職業、居住地或人際關係等持續性情況時。
範例:Xiaoming has worked at Taipei 101 since 2018.(小明從 2018 年起就在台北 101 工作。)➡️ 這個句子中,2018 年是明確的時間起點,從那時開始到現在,小明都在同一個地方工作。Since 在此標示這個延續至今的起始點。
2. For 的定義:標示時間的總長度
For 專注於量化時間的持續期間,後方通常接數字加上時間單位(如三天、兩個月、十年)。
-
這個期間可能已經結束(過去式:I studied English for two years when I was in high school. 我高中時學了兩年英語。)
-
仍在持續(完成式:I have studied English for two years. 我學英語已經兩年了。)
-
甚至可能發生在未來(未來式:I will study in London for six months. 我將在倫敦學習六個月。)。
For 的靈活性在於它不綁定特定英文時態,而是單純描述「多長時間」這個客觀事實,讓說話者能夠清楚傳達動作或狀態的持續程度。
範例:Xiaomei has lived in Hong Kong for ten years.(小美在香港已經住了十年。)➡️ 這個句子強調的是居住的時間長度——十年,而不是從什麼時候開始住。For 在此量化了這個持續的期間。
II. For Since 用法總覽對照表
為協助你快速掌握 for since 用法差異,以下表格整理兩者的核心特徵與常見搭配模式:
|
比較項目 |
Since(起始點) |
For(持續長度) |
|
核心概念 |
標示動作開始的具體時間點 |
標示動作持續的總時間長度 |
|
後接內容 |
具體時間點、過去式子句 |
數字 + 時間單位 |
|
常用時態 |
現在完成式/現在完成進行式 |
完成式、過去式、未來式 |
|
範例 |
|
|
這個對照表清楚呈現 for since 用法的核心差異:看到「具體時刻、日期、事件」時選用 Since;看到「數字時間單位」時選用 For。掌握這個基本原則,就能在 90% 的情況下做出正確選擇。
III. Since 用法細節與常用句型
深入理解 for since 用法中 Since 的運用,需要掌握它與時間點的搭配方式、嚴格的時態規則,以及特殊語意延伸。
1. Since 搭配時間點的常見組合
Since 作為介係詞時的核心功能是標示明確的時間起點,後方接受各種表達過去時間點的方式:
結構公式:
-
Since + 具體時刻(8 AM,noon,midnight)
-
Since + 日期(January 15th,2020,last Tuesday)
-
Since + 事件名詞(my birthday,the meeting,graduation)
-
Since + 時間副詞(yesterday,last month,last year)
實例應用:
|
Since 類型 |
範例 |
|
Since + 時刻 |
Xiaowang has been waiting at the Taipei Main Station since 8 AM.(小王從早上八點起就在台北車站等候。) |
|
Since + 年份 |
Professor Chen has taught at National Taiwan University since 2015.(陳教授從 2015 年起就在台灣大學任教。) |
|
Since + 日期 |
The Hong Kong office has been closed since March 20th.(香港辦公室從三月二十日起就關閉了。) |
|
Since + 事件 |
Xiaomei has felt much happier since her promotion.(小美自從升職後就感到快樂許多。) |
|
Since + 時間副詞 |
We haven't received any updates since yesterday.(我們從昨天起就沒收到任何更新。) |
|
Since + 節慶 |
The restaurant has been fully booked since Chinese New Year.(這間餐廳從農曆新年起就全部訂滿了。) |
這些組合的共通點是提供一個清晰的時間參考點,讓聽者明白動作何時開始並延續至今。
2. Since 引導子句的時態規則
Since 作為連接詞時的 for since 用法特性更為複雜,需要特別注意時態搭配。
結構公式:
主要子句(Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous)+ since + 主詞 + 動詞過去式
關鍵規則:
實例應用:
|
句型結構 |
範例 |
|
完成式 + since + 過去式 |
Xiaojie has lived in Taipei since he graduated from university.(小傑從大學畢業後就住在台北。) |
|
完成進行式 + since + 過去式 |
The team has been working on this project since the manager approved it.(團隊從經理批准後就一直在進行這個專案。) |
|
否定完成式 + since + 過去式 |
We haven't visited Hong Kong since the pandemic began.(我們從疫情開始後就沒去過香港。) |
|
完成式 + since + 過去式 |
Property prices have increased dramatically since the government announced the new policy.(房價從政府宣布新政策後就大幅上漲。) |
常見錯誤避免:
-
❌ I have worked here since I am moving to Taipei.(錯誤:since 後用現在式)
-
✓ I have worked here since I moved to Taipei.(正確:since 後用過去式)
我從搬到台北後就在這裡工作。
3. Since 表示原因的特殊用法(Because/As)
除了時間用法,Since 也可作為連接詞表示「既然、因為」,這是進階 for since 用法的重要延伸。
結構公式:
Since + 原因子句,+ 結果主要子句
實例應用:
|
用法情境 |
範例 |
|
正式書面語 |
Since Xiaoming has extensive experience in marketing, we should assign him to lead the campaign.(既然小明在行銷方面有豐富經驗,我們應該指派他領導這次活動。) |
|
邏輯推理 |
Since the Taipei weather forecast predicts heavy rain, the outdoor concert will be postponed.(因為台北天氣預報會下大雨,戶外演唱會將會延期。) |
|
建議語氣 |
Since you're already in Hong Kong, you should visit Victoria Peak.(既然你已經在香港了,你應該去太平山頂看看。) |
辨別方法:
-
時間用法:通常搭配完成式,強調動作的延續性
-
原因用法:時態不受限,強調因果關係邏輯
IV. For 用法細節與常用句型
For 的運用重點在於精確表達時間長度,以及理解它在不同時態中的語意差異,這是掌握 for since 用法的關鍵。
1. For 搭配精確時間長度
For 後方接受各種表示期間長度的表達方式,從分鐘到世紀都能靈活運用。
結構公式:
-
For + 數字 + 時間單位(minutes,hours,days,weeks,months,years,decades,centuries)
-
For + 概括性期間(a while,a long time,ages,the whole day)
實例應用:
|
時間單位 |
範例 |
|
分鐘 |
Xiaoli has been on the phone with customer service for 45 minutes.(小麗已經跟客服通話四十五分鐘了。) |
|
小時 |
The Taipei MRT has been delayed for two hours due to technical issues.(台北捷運因技術問題已經延誤兩小時。) |
|
天數 |
We stayed in Hong Kong for five days during the summer vacation.(我們暑假期間在香港待了五天。) |
|
週數 |
The training program runs for eight weeks.(培訓計畫進行八週。) |
|
月份 |
Xiaojun has been learning Japanese for six months.(小軍已經學日語六個月了。) |
|
年份 |
Professor Wang has been teaching at this university for twenty years.(王教授在這所大學教書已經二十年了。) |
|
數十年 |
This traditional market has existed in Taipei for decades.(這個傳統市場在台北已經存在數十年了。) |
|
概括期間 |
I haven't exercised for ages.(我很久沒運動了。) |
2. For 在不同時態中的含義差異
For 的彈性在於可與多種時態搭配,但語意會產生微妙但重要的變化,這是理解 for since 用法的進階關鍵。
結構與語意對比:
|
時態 |
結構公式 |
英文範例 |
語意說明 |
|
現在完成式 |
have/has + 過去分詞 + for + 時間長度 |
Xiaoming has studied Mandarin for three years.(小明學中文已經三年了。) |
三年前開始學,現在仍在學習,強調延續至今 |
|
過去式 |
過去式動詞 + for + 時間長度 |
Xiaoming studied Mandarin for three years.(小明學了三年中文。) |
過去曾學習三年,現在可能已不再學,動作已結束 |
|
未來式 |
will + 動詞原形 + for + 時間長度 |
Xiaoming will study Mandarin for three years.(小明將要學三年中文。) |
計畫未來持續學習三年,動作尚未開始 |
|
現在完成進行式 |
have/has been + 動詞-ing + for + 時間長度 |
Xiaoming has been studying Mandarin for three years.(小明一直在學中文已經三年了。) |
強調這三年來持續不間斷的學習過程,突出動作的進行感 |
|
had + 過去分詞 + for + 時間長度 |
By 2020,Xiaoming had studied Mandarin for three years.(到 2020 年時,小明已經學了三年中文。) |
在過去某個時間點之前已完成的三年學習 |
掌握這些時態差異,能讓你精準傳達動作的時間狀態,避免在 for since 用法中產生歧義。
V. 如何判斷該用 Since 還是 For?
當你不確定該選 since 和 for 的用法時,可以遵循以下系統化判斷流程,這是掌握 for since 用法的實戰技巧:
|
判斷步驟 |
Since 使用情境 |
For 使用情境 |
實例對比 |
|
步驟一:檢視時間資訊類型 |
具體時刻、日期、事件(2020,Monday,graduation,8 AM) |
數字 + 時間單位(three days,five years,2 hours) |
Since 2020 vs. For five years |
|
步驟二:確認句子時態 |
通常搭配現在完成式,強調「從某時開始至今」的延續性 |
時態靈活(過去式、未來式、完成式皆可),強調「持續多久」的長度 |
have worked since... vs. worked for.../will work for... |
|
步驟三:問自己關鍵問題 |
回答「何時開始?」(When did it start?) |
回答「持續多久?」(How long did it last?) |
Since when?→ Since 2018 / How long?→ For 7 years |
|
步驟四:檢查後接詞性 |
後接時間點名詞或過去式子句 |
後接時間長度(數字 + 單位)或概括期間 |
since childhood / since I was born vs. for ten years / for a while |
|
步驟五:判斷時間性質 |
強調「起點」,有明確的開始時刻 |
強調「長度」,計算持續的時間跨度 |
從什麼時候 vs. 多長時間 |
實戰演練判斷法:
|
句子情境 |
空格 |
正確答案 |
判斷理由 |
|
Xiaomei has lived in Taipei _____ 2019. |
___ |
since |
2019 是具體年份時間點 |
|
Xiaomei has lived in Taipei _____ six years. |
_____ |
for |
six years 是時間長度 |
|
I haven't eaten _____ breakfast. |
___ |
since |
breakfast 是事件時間點 |
|
I haven't eaten _____ five hours. |
___ |
for |
five hours 是時間長度 |
|
The company has expanded _____ it moved to Hong Kong. |
_____ |
since |
引導子句,後接過去式動詞 moved |
|
The project has continued _____ several months. |
_____ |
for |
several months 是時間長度 |
記憶口訣:
-
時間點選 Since,時間長度選 For
-
看到數字配單位,For 絕對不會錯
-
看到年份日期刻,Since 才是正確選
這個邏輯判斷法配合 for since 用法的核心原則,能幫助你在 95% 以上的情況下做出正確選擇,大幅提升英語時態運用的準確度。
VI. For Since 用法的實戰練習題
透過以下三組共三十題練習,你可以內化 for since 用法的所有核心概念,建立自動判斷的語感,在實際溝通與考試中運用自如。
1. 練習一:基礎填空(選出 Since 或 For)
請在空格中填入 since 或 for,並理解每題的時間邏輯:
-
Xiaomei has known her best friend _____ 2019.
-
The Taipei office has been renovating _____ three months.
-
We haven't received any news from Hong Kong _____ last Friday.
-
Professor Wang has been teaching this course _____ two semesters.
-
The restaurant has been fully booked _____ the food critic's review was published.
-
This traditional bakery has existed in the neighborhood _____ over a century.
-
I haven't practiced piano _____ the concert ended.
-
Xiaojun and Xiaoling have been colleagues _____ a very long time.
-
The company has expanded its operations _____ six consecutive years.
-
She has been living in student accommodation _____ she started university.
答案解析:
-
since(2019 是具體年份時間點)
-
for(three months 是時間長度)
-
since(last Friday 是具體日期)
-
for(two semesters 是時間長度)
-
since(引導子句,the review was published 是過去事件)
-
for(over a century 是時間長度)
-
since(引導子句,the concert ended 是過去事件)
-
for(a very long time 是時間長度)
-
for(six consecutive years 是時間長度)
-
since(引導子句,she started university 是過去事件)
2. 練習二:時態句型轉換(Since 轉 For)
將以下含 Since 的句子改寫為使用 For 的對等表達(假設現在是 2025 年 12 月):
-
Xiaowang has lived in Taipei since 2020.
→ Xiaowang has lived in Taipei _____. -
The Hong Kong branch has been operating since March.
→ The Hong Kong branch has been operating _____. -
Professor Chen has taught at this university since 2018.
→ Professor Chen has taught at this university _____. -
The marketing team has been working on this campaign since last Monday.(今天是星期五)
→ The marketing team has been working on this campaign _____. -
I haven't visited my hometown since Chinese New Year.(農曆新年是十個月前)
→ I haven't visited my hometown _____. -
Xiaomei has been learning French since she moved to Paris.(搬去巴黎是兩年前)
→ Xiaomei has been learning French _____. -
The construction project has been delayed since the typhoon hit.(颱風是三週前)
→ The construction project has been delayed _____. -
We have been business partners since we graduated from business school.(畢業是五年前)
→ We have been business partners _____. -
The Taipei MRT has been using this new system since January.
→ The Taipei MRT has been using this new system _____. -
She hasn't attended any meetings since her maternity leave started.(產假是兩個月前開始)
→ She hasn't attended any meetings _____.
答案解析:
-
for five years(2025 - 2020 = 5)
-
for nine months(三月至十二月約 9 個月)
-
for seven years(2025 - 2018 = 7)
-
for four days(週一至週五 = 4 個工作天)
-
for ten months(題目說明農曆新年是十個月前)
-
for two years(題目說明搬去巴黎是兩年前)
-
for three weeks(題目說明颱風是三週前)
-
for five years(題目說明畢業是五年前)
-
for eleven months(一月至十二月約 11 個月)
-
for two months(題目說明產假是兩個月前開始)
3. 練習三:進階錯誤找尋(校正不合邏輯的用法)
以下句子各有一處關於 for since 用法的錯誤,請找出並更正,這是檢驗 for since 怎麼用理解深度的關鍵練習:
-
Xiaoming has been studying at National Taiwan University since four years.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
The Hong Kong team has worked on this project for last quarter.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
Professor Wang has been teaching Economics since twenty-five years.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
I haven't visited Taipei 101 for 2019.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
Xiaomei has worked at the marketing department since six months.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
The restaurant has been fully booked for 7 PM.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
We have been waiting for the delivery since three hours.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
The company has expanded for we opened the Singapore office.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
Xiaojun has lived in this apartment since two decades.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____ -
The conference has been postponed for yesterday.
錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____
答案解析:
-
錯誤:since four years | 更正:for four years(時間長度用 for)➡️ Xiaoming has been studying at National Taiwan University for four years.(小明在台灣大學已經讀了四年。)
-
錯誤:for last quarter | 更正:since last quarter(具體時間段起點用 since)➡️ The Hong Kong team has worked on this project since last quarter.(香港團隊從上季度起就在進行這個專案。)
-
錯誤:since twenty-five years | 更正:for twenty-five years(時間長度用 for)➡️ Professor Wang has been teaching Economics for twenty-five years.(王教授教經濟學已經二十五年了。)
-
錯誤:for 2019 | 更正:since 2019(具體年份用 since)➡️ I haven't visited Taipei 101 since 2019.(我從 2019 年起就沒去過台北 101。)
-
錯誤:since six months | 更正:for six months(時間長度用 for)➡️ Xiaomei has worked at the marketing department for six months.(小美在行銷部門已經工作六個月了。)
-
錯誤:for 7 PM | 更正:since 7 PM(時刻用 since)➡️ The restaurant has been fully booked since 7 PM.(這間餐廳從晚上七點起就全部訂滿了。)
-
錯誤:since three hours | 更正:for three hours(時間長度用 for)➡️ We have been waiting for the delivery for three hours.(我們已經等快遞等了三小時。)
-
錯誤:for we opened | 更正:since we opened(子句用 since)➡️ The company has expanded since we opened the Singapore office.(公司從我們開設新加坡辦公室後就一直在擴張。)
-
錯誤:since two decades | 更正:for two decades(時間長度用 for)➡️ Xiaojun has lived in this apartment for two decades.(小軍在這間公寓已經住了二十年。)
-
錯誤:for yesterday | 更正:since yesterday(時間點用 since)➡️ The conference has been postponed since yesterday.(會議從昨天起就延期了。)
結論
掌握 for since 用法的關鍵在於理解兩者的核心差異:Since 標示起始時間點並與完成式緊密結合,專注於「從何時開始並延續至今」;For 則量化持續時間長度且可靈活運用於多種時態,強調「持續了多久」。透過本文的系統化解析、詳細對照表格與三十題實戰練習,你已經建立起扎實的文法基礎,能夠在日常溝通、商務書信與國際英語檢定中精準運用這兩個時間介係詞。
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你好!我叫黃秋賢。現在在網站 prepedu.com 的部落格擔任產品內容經理。
我有超過5年的英語、韓語等外語自學經驗,並準備過 IELTS、TOEIC、TOPIK 等考試,累積了豐富的實戰知識,也曾協助數千位在語言學習上遇到困難的人。希望以上的分享能幫助大家在家中更有效率地自學!
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