Lesson 6: Are you using these words effectively? 🤔

Making this communication mistake could cost you during interviews.

Welcome back to another session of Boost! Classes began last week, and we're proud to have over 705 students participating. Thank you for being a part of the TECLA community.

Learn how to use these words and impress your interviewer from the get-go.

Understanding the correct usage of "since" and "for" in sentences. 

Are you guilty of this common language blunder? 🤭

Prepositions are a big deal in English, and two of the most frequently used - 'for' and 'since' - can be quite tricky. As it turns out, even Cambridge University Press has found that mixing them up is one of the most common mistakes English learners make. And when it comes to expressing time duration, it’s often tough to tell them apart.

Can you identify the mistake in these two sentences? 

“I have lived here since two months.” OR “I have lived here for last year”

No? Don't worry. We're here to help! So, take a deep breath, and with some simple explanations and examples, we'll have you using these prepositions in no time.

Mixing up "for" and "since" is a real language faux pas, but it's essential to grasp their meanings and when to use them correctly.

⏱️ You use “for” when indicating a specific amount of time during which someone or something performed an action.

"I have lived here for two months."

⏳ You use “since” when referring to a specific starting point from which an action began in the past and continues to the present. This word indicates that the action has been ongoing since that particular point in time.

"I have lived here since 2022."

To sum up, "since" and "for" can be tricky for English learners. But don't worry, once you know the right situations to use them in, it'll be easier to use them correctly.

"Cecilia has been travelling for the past month."

"Santiago has been working as a developer since 2018."

"Tatiana will be here for a few hours."

"I have known Pedro since you were a kid."

Just remember, "since" is for a starting point that continues to the present, and "for" is for a specific amount of time. Keep practicing, and soon, you'll be a pro!

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