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。

For Since 用法完全指南
For Since 用法完全指南

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。

For Since 用法的核心定義與詞性解析
For Since 用法的核心定義與詞性解析

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

  • since 2020(從 2020 年起)

  • since last Monday(從上週一起)

  • since 9 o'clock(從九點起)

  • for five years(持續五年)

  • for two weeks(持續兩週)

  • for three hours(持續三小時)

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

Since 用法細節與常用句型
Since 用法細節與常用句型

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

過去完成式

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。

For 用法細節與常用句型
For 用法細節與常用句型

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 sincefor,並理解每題的時間邏輯:

  1. Xiaomei has known her best friend _____ 2019.

  2. The Taipei office has been renovating _____ three months.

  3. We haven't received any news from Hong Kong _____ last Friday.

  4. Professor Wang has been teaching this course _____ two semesters.

  5. The restaurant has been fully booked _____ the food critic's review was published.

  6. This traditional bakery has existed in the neighborhood _____ over a century.

  7. I haven't practiced piano _____ the concert ended.

  8. Xiaojun and Xiaoling have been colleagues _____ a very long time.

  9. The company has expanded its operations _____ six consecutive years.

  10. She has been living in student accommodation _____ she started university.

答案解析

  1. since(2019 是具體年份時間點)

  2. for(three months 是時間長度)

  3. since(last Friday 是具體日期)

  4. for(two semesters 是時間長度)

  5. since(引導子句,the review was published 是過去事件)

  6. for(over a century 是時間長度)

  7. since(引導子句,the concert ended 是過去事件)

  8. for(a very long time 是時間長度)

  9. for(six consecutive years 是時間長度)

  10. 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):

  1. Xiaowang has lived in Taipei since 2020.
    → Xiaowang has lived in Taipei _____.

  2. The Hong Kong branch has been operating since March.
    → The Hong Kong branch has been operating _____.

  3. Professor Chen has taught at this university since 2018.
    → Professor Chen has taught at this university _____.

  4. 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 _____.

  5. 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 _____.

  6. Xiaomei has been learning French since she moved to Paris.(搬去巴黎是兩年前)
    → Xiaomei has been learning French _____.

  7. The construction project has been delayed since the typhoon hit.(颱風是三週前)
    → The construction project has been delayed _____.

  8. We have been business partners since we graduated from business school.(畢業是五年前)
    → We have been business partners _____.

  9. The Taipei MRT has been using this new system since January.
    → The Taipei MRT has been using this new system _____.

  10. 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

  1. for five years(2025 - 2020 = 5)

  2. for nine months(三月至十二月約 9 個月)

  3. for seven years(2025 - 2018 = 7)

  4. for four days(週一至週五 = 4 個工作天)

  5. for ten months(題目說明農曆新年是十個月前)

  6. for two years(題目說明搬去巴黎是兩年前)

  7. for three weeks(題目說明颱風是三週前)

  8. for five years(題目說明畢業是五年前)

  9. for eleven months(一月至十二月約 11 個月)

  10. 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:

  1. Xiaoming has been studying at National Taiwan University since four years.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  2. The Hong Kong team has worked on this project for last quarter.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  3. Professor Wang has been teaching Economics since twenty-five years.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  4. I haven't visited Taipei 101 for 2019.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  5. Xiaomei has worked at the marketing department since six months.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  6. The restaurant has been fully booked for 7 PM.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  7. We have been waiting for the delivery since three hours.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  8. The company has expanded for we opened the Singapore office.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  9. Xiaojun has lived in this apartment since two decades.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

  10. The conference has been postponed for yesterday.
    錯誤:_____ | 更正:_____

答案解析

  1. 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。)

  2. 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。)

  3. 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。)

  4. 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。)

  5. 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。)

  6. 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。)

  7. 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。)

  8. 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。)

  9. 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。)

  10. 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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黃秋賢
Product Content Admin

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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