Time expressions (since, for) | Anglais Seconde
Informations sur le cours
Chapitre: Tenses and Aspect
Sous-chapitre: Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous
Section: Time expressions (since, for)
Introduction aux expressions de temps
Qu'est-ce que since et for ?
Les expressions de temps since et for sont utilisées avec les temps verbaux anglais pour indiquer la durée ou le point de départ d'une action :
- Since indique un point de départ dans le temps
- For indique une durée de temps
Exemples :
I have lived here since 2010. (depuis 2010)
She has been studying for two hours. (pendant deux heures)
They have known each other since childhood. (depuis l'enfance)
Utilisation de "since"
Since indique un point de départ
- Dates précises : since 2010, since March, since last year
- Heures précises : since 8 AM, since noon, since midnight
- Événements : since I graduated, since we met, since the war ended
- Phrases complètes : since I came to this school, since he started working
- I have lived in Paris since 2015.
- She has worked here since January.
- They have been married since 2020.
- I have known him since we were children.
- She has been driving since she turned 18.
- They have been friends since they met at university.
Utilisation de "for"
For indique une durée
- Périodes de temps : for 2 hours, for 3 days, for 5 years
- Expressions de durée : for a long time, for ages, for quite a while
- Unités de temps : for a minute, for a month, for a decade
- I have been learning English for 5 years.
- She has lived here for 3 months.
- They have been working for 2 hours.
- I have known him for a long time.
- She has been sick for ages.
- They have been waiting for quite a while.
Comparaison since vs for
Différences clés
| Since | For |
|---|---|
| Point de départ dans le temps | Durée de temps |
| Indique quand l'action a commencé | Indique combien de temps elle dure |
| Utilise des dates/événements | Utilise des durées/unités de temps |
| Since 2010, since yesterday | For 2 years, for a day |
| Depuis (quand ?) | Pendant (combien de temps ?) |
- Since : I have lived here since 2010 (quand j'ai commencé)
- For : I have lived here for 14 years (combien de temps)
- Since : She has been studying since 8 AM (heure de début)
- For : She has been studying for 4 hours (durée)
Temps verbaux avec since et for
Temps courants utilisés
Le présent perfect simple est utilisé avec since/for pour exprimer une action achevée avec des résultats présents :
- I have lived here for 5 years.
- She has known him since childhood.
- They have been married since 2020.
Le présent perfect continuous est utilisé avec since/for pour mettre l'accent sur la durée continue de l'action :
- I have been studying for 3 hours.
- She has been working since 8 AM.
- They have been waiting for a long time.
Exercice 1 - Compléter avec since ou for
Complète les phrases
- I have been learning English _____ 3 years.
- She has lived here _____ 2018.
- They have been friends _____ they were children.
- He has worked at this company _____ 5 months.
- We have known each other _____ last summer.
- She has been studying _____ 8 AM.
- I have had this car _____ a long time.
- They have been traveling _____ a week.
Solution exercice 1
Correction détaillée
- I have been learning English for 3 years. (durée)
- She has lived here since 2018. (point de départ)
- They have been friends since they were children. (point de départ)
- He has worked at this company for 5 months. (durée)
- We have known each other since last summer. (point de départ)
- She has been studying since 8 AM. (point de départ)
- I have had this car for a long time. (durée)
- They have been traveling for a week. (durée)
- Since est utilisé avec : dates précises (2018), événements (they were children), heures (8 AM), moments (last summer)
- For est utilisé avec : durées (3 years), expressions de durée (a long time), unités de temps (a week)
Exercice 2 - Transformation
Transforme les phrases
- She has worked here since 2015. → She has worked here for _____.
- I have lived in this city for 7 years. → I have lived in this city since _____.
- They have been friends since 2010. → They have been friends for _____.
- He has studied French for 4 years. → He has studied French since _____.
- We have known each other for 5 years. → We have known each other since _____.
Solution exercice 2
Correction détaillée
- She has worked here since 2015. → She has worked here for 9 years.
- I have lived in this city for 7 years. → I have lived in this city since 2017.
- They have been friends since 2010. → They have been friends for 14 years.
- He has studied French for 4 years. → He has studied French since 2020.
- We have known each other for 5 years. → We have known each other since 2019.
- De since à for : Calculer la durée entre le point de départ et maintenant
- De for à since : Soustraire la durée de la date actuelle pour trouver le point de départ
- Utiliser l'année actuelle (2024) comme référence pour les calculs
Exercice 3 - Choix du temps
Choisis le bon temps
- I _____ (live) here for 5 years. (accent sur la durée)
- She _____ (work) at this company since 2018. (accent sur le fait accompli)
- They _____ (play) tennis for 2 hours. (action en cours)
- We _____ (know) each other since childhood. (accent sur le fait accompli)
- He _____ (study) French for 3 years. (accent sur le processus)
Solution exercice 3
Correction détaillée
- I have been living (live) here for 5 years. (continuous, accent sur la durée)
- She has worked (work) at this company since 2018. (simple, accent sur le fait accompli)
- They have been playing (play) tennis for 2 hours. (continuous, action en cours)
- We have known (know) each other since childhood. (simple, accent sur le fait accompli)
- He has been studying (study) French for 3 years. (continuous, accent sur le processus)
- Present Perfect Simple : accent sur le résultat, le fait accompli, les habitudes
- Present Perfect Continuous : accent sur la durée, le processus, l'action en cours
- Les verbes d'état (know, love, have) sont généralement utilisés au simple
- Les verbes d'action (work, play, study) peuvent être utilisés aux deux temps
Erreurs fréquentes
Pièges à éviter
Erreur : I have lived here for 2015
Correct : I have lived here since 2015
Erreur : I have lived here since 5 years
Correct : I have lived here for 5 years
Erreur : She has known him for 5 years. (verbe d'état)
Correct : She has known him for 5 years.
Erreur : I have been living here since 5 years. (since + durée)
Correct : I have lived here for 5 years ou since 2019.
- Regarde si l'expression indique un point de départ (since) ou une durée (for)
- Utilise le simple pour les verbes d'état et les faits accomplis
- Utilise le continuous pour les actions en cours et les durées
- Pratique régulièrement pour acquérir l'automatisme
Résumé
Points clés à retenir
- Since : point de départ dans le temps (depuis quand ?)
- For : durée de temps (pendant combien de temps ?)
- Present Perfect Simple : accent sur le résultat/fait accompli
- Present Perfect Continuous : accent sur la durée/processus
Conclusion
Félicitations !
Continue à pratiquer pour renforcer tes compétences en anglais