I live here since 2020: since, for, and the tense that goes with them

Objective & content

This Grammar Fix video (about 4 minutes) fixes one mistake: the present simple after since or for. Freya and Cody give the rule: when something started in the past and is still true now, English needs have plus the past form. Since gives the start (I've lived here since 2020); for gives the length (I've lived here for five years). It works in questions too (How long have you lived here?). Something finished keeps the past simple (I lived in Rome last year). Students repeat sentences with the hosts, then play a three-round game.

Pedagogical guide

Every class makes this mistake. In French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, German and Dutch, a situation that started in the past and is still true takes the ordinary present tense with a word like depuis, desde, da, od, seit or sinds. Learners copy it into English. Expect three more problems: no have in a how long question; since and for mixed up; and have used for something finished, such as last year. Round one of the game is built to catch the last one. Say each wrong sentence once at most, then give the rule.

Suggested procedure

1. Before (2 min). Ask three students how long they have lived in their town. Write what they say on the board.
2. Watch (4 min). Play the video once. Students repeat aloud when Freya says "Say them with me": I've lived here. She's worked here. They've known each other.
3. Game (3 min). Play the game again. Both sentences are shown and said. Pause at each thinking beat ("Have a think...") and ask the class to vote. In round one, ask why the finished sentence has no have.
4. After (4 min). Go back to the board. In pairs, students correct the sentences with since or for.

Materials & prerequisites

• The video, a screen and sound for the whole class.
• The example sentences are at about B1- level. Students need the past form of a few common verbs (lived, worked, known).

Assessment & extensions

Students write three true sentences about themselves with since or for. They swap with a partner, who asks a matching How long have you...? question.