Unit 97: from ... to / until / since / for
Master duration and starting points in time
A. from ... to ...
We lived in Canada from 1982 to 1990.
You can also say from ... until ...:
• We lived in Canada from 1982 until 1990.
B. until + the end of a period
• They're going away tomorrow. They'll be away until Friday.
• I went to bed early but I wasn't tired. I read a book until 3 o'clock.
• Wait here until I come back.
• I went to bed early but I wasn't tired. I read a book until 3 o'clock.
• Wait here until I come back.
You can also say till (= until):
• Wait here till I come back.
Compare:
• 'How long will you be away?' 'Until Monday.'
• 'When are you coming back?' 'On Monday.'
• 'When are you coming back?' 'On Monday.'
C. since + a time in the past (to now)
• We use since after the present perfect (have been / have done etc.):
• John is in hospital. He has been in hospital since Monday. (= from Monday to now)
• Mr and Mrs Kelly have been married since 1968. (from 1968 to now)
• It has been raining since I arrived.
• John is in hospital. He has been in hospital since Monday. (= from Monday to now)
• Mr and Mrs Kelly have been married since 1968. (from 1968 to now)
• It has been raining since I arrived.
Compare:
• We lived in Canada from 1982 to 1990.
• We lived in Canada until 1990.
• Now we live in France. We came to France in 1990.
• We have lived in France since 1990. (= from 1990 until now)
• We lived in Canada until 1990.
• Now we live in France. We came to France in 1990.
• We have lived in France since 1990. (= from 1990 until now)
We use for (not since) + a period of time (three days / ten years etc.):
• John has been in hospital for three days. (not 'since three days')
D. for + a period of time
• George stayed with us for three days.
• I'm going away for a few weeks.
• I'm going away for the weekend.
• They've been married for ten years.
• I'm going away for a few weeks.
• I'm going away for the weekend.
• They've been married for ten years.
from ... to / until
lived in Canada from 1982 to 1990
be away until Friday
read a book until 3 o'clock
be away until Friday
read a book until 3 o'clock
since
has been in hospital since Monday
have been married since 1968
has been raining since I arrived
have been married since 1968
has been raining since I arrived
for
stayed with us for three days
going away for a few weeks
been married for ten years
going away for a few weeks
been married for ten years
97.1 Read the information about these people and complete the sentences. Use from ... to / until / since.
1
2
3
4
- Alice lived in Canada from 1982 to 1990.
- Alice .
- Alice .
- Alice .
- Brian .
- Brian .
- Carol .
- Carol .
- Gerry .
- Gerry .
97.2 Now write sentences with for.
- (Alice / Canada) Alice lived in Canada for eight years.
- (Alice / England) Alice .
- (Brian / England) Brian .
- (Carol / university) Carol .
- (Gerry / teacher) Gerry .
97.3 Put in until/since/for.
- Mr and Mrs Kelly have been married since 1968.
- I was tired this morning. I stayed in bed half past ten.
- We waited Sue half an hour but she didn't come.
- 'Have you just arrived?' 'No, I've been here half past seven.'
- 'How long did you stay at the party last night?' ' midnight.'
- David and I are good friends. We have known each other ten years.
- I'm tired. I'm going to lie down a few minutes.
- Don't open the door of the train the train stops.
- This is my house. I've lived here I was seven years old.
- Jack has gone away. He'll be away Wednesday.
- Next week I'm going to Paris four days.
- I usually finish work at 5.30, but sometimes I work 6.
- 'How long have you known Anna?' ' we were at school together.'
- 'Where have you been?' 'I've been waiting you twenty minutes.'