Time Expressions Exercises - For, Since, During, Already, Yet, Still - 220 Free Questions

For vs Since – Medium

medium

Mixed tenses with for and since

20 questions • 15 min

For vs Since – Hard

hard

Tricky cases and complex contexts

20 questions • 18 min

For vs During – Easy

easy

How long (for) vs when (during)

20 questions • 12 min

For vs During – Medium

medium

Trickier cases with overlapping contexts

20 questions • 15 min

Already, Yet & Still – Easy

easy

Basic usage with present perfect

20 questions • 12 min

Already, Yet & Still – Medium

medium

Subtle distinctions and varied positions

20 questions • 15 min

Already, Yet & Still – Hard

hard

Professional and nuanced contexts

20 questions • 18 min

Just vs Already

medium

Recent actions and correct word order

20 questions • 15 min

Still & No Longer

medium

Continuing vs changed situations

20 questions • 15 min

Time Expressions – Final Test

hard

All expressions: for, since, already, yet, still, just, no longer

20 questions • 18 min

What is the difference between "for" and "since" in English time expressions?

"For" and "since" are the two most commonly confused time expressions in English. The key difference is simple: for tells you how long something has lasted, while since tells you when something started. Both are most frequently used with the present perfect tense.

For — Duration

Use with a period of time

"I have lived here for five years."

Since — Starting Point

Use with a specific moment

"I have lived here since 2019."

For (duration)	Since (starting point)
for two hours	since 9 o'clock
for three weeks	since Monday
for six months	since January
for ten years	since 2015
for a long time	since I was a child

Quick test: Can you replace the expression with a number of days, months, or years? Then use for. Is it a date, day, or event? Use since.

How do you decide whether to use "for" or "since" with different tenses?

While "for" and "since" are most commonly associated with the present perfect, both words can appear with several different tenses. The tense you choose depends on whether the action is still continuing or has finished. Understanding this interplay is essential for mastering time expressions at B1–B2 level.

Present Perfect — still continuing

"She has worked here for ten years." / "She has worked here since 2014."

Past Simple — finished action

"He waited for two hours." (no longer waiting — use past simple, not present perfect)

Past Perfect — action before another past event

"They had been married for thirty years before they divorced."

Future Perfect — looking back from the future

"By next year, I will have worked here for a decade."

Common error: Do not use "for" with the past simple when the action is still happening. Say "I have worked here for five years" (not "I worked here for five years" if you still work there).

For vs Since - Time Expressions Quick Reference Chart

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How do you use "already" in English time expressions?

"Already" is used to say that something happened sooner than expected. It is almost always used in affirmative sentences. In British English, "already" appears between the auxiliary verb and the past participle. In American English, it can also appear at the end of the sentence. In questions, "already" expresses surprise that something has happened so soon.

British English

"I have already eaten."
"She has already left."
"They have already arrived."

American English

"I already ate."
"She already left."
"I've eaten already."

Surprise questions with "already"

•

"Have you already finished? That was fast!"

•

"Is she already here? I thought she was coming at 8."

•

"Have they already sold the house?"

Remember: "Already" is not used in negative sentences. For negatives, use "yet" instead: "I haven't eaten yet." (not "I haven't eaten already.")

When do you use "yet" in English and where does it go?

"Yet" is used in questions and negative sentences to talk about something that is expected but has not happened. It always goes at the end of the sentence. "Yet" signals that the speaker expects the action to happen eventually — it just hasn't happened so far.

Negative sentences	Questions
"I haven't eaten yet."	"Have you eaten yet?"
"She hasn't called yet."	"Has she called yet?"
"The results aren't ready yet."	"Are the results ready yet?"

Common errors with "yet"

✗ "I haven't yet eaten."→✓ "I haven't eaten yet."

Yet goes at the END, not before the main verb

✗ "I haven't eaten already."→✓ "I haven't eaten yet."

Use "yet" in negatives, not "already"

How do you use "still" in English time expressions?

"Still" means a situation is continuing up to the present moment — often longer than expected. It goes before the main verb (but after "be" as a main verb). "Still" can be used in affirmative sentences, questions, and negatives, but the position and meaning change slightly in each case.

Affirmative — before main verb

"She still works at the bank."

"He is still sleeping."

Questions — before main verb (surprise/expectation)

"Are you still waiting?"

"Do you still live in London?"

Negatives — before "not" or before main verb (stronger than "yet")

"I still haven't finished." (stronger disappointment)

"She still doesn't understand."

Still vs Yet in negatives: "I haven't finished yet" is neutral — just a fact. "I still haven't finished" expresses frustration or surprise that it is taking so long.

Already, Yet, Still and Just - Position and Usage Quick Reference

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How do you use "just" as a time expression in English?

As a time expression, "just" means "a very short time ago." In British English, it is used almost exclusively with the present perfect and goes between the auxiliary and the past participle. In American English, it can appear with the simple past. "Just" is not to be confused with its other uses meaning "only" or "exactly."

Type	Example	Meaning
Time (British)	"She has just left."	very recently
Time (American)	"She just left."	very recently
Only	"There are just two left."	only / no more
Right now	"I'm just leaving."	at this moment

Position rule: With the present perfect, "just" goes between "have/has" and the past participle — never at the start or end: "I have just arrived" (not "Just I have arrived" or "I have arrived just").

What is the difference between "no longer" and "not anymore" in time expressions?

Both "no longer" and "not... anymore" (also "not... any more" in British English) express that a situation has changed — something that was true in the past is no longer true now. The key difference is register: "no longer" is more formal and goes before the main verb, while "anymore" is more informal and goes at the end of the sentence.

No Longer (more formal)

"She no longer works here."
"We no longer sell that product."
"He no longer smokes."

Position: before the main verb

Not... Anymore (more informal)

"She doesn't work here anymore."
"We don't sell that product anymore."
"He doesn't smoke anymore."

Position: at the end of the sentence

Register tip: In formal writing (reports, business emails, essays), prefer "no longer." In spoken English and informal writing, "not... anymore" is more natural. Both are grammatically correct.

What are the most common mistakes with English time expressions?

Even advanced learners make persistent errors with time expressions. The most frequent mistakes involve using "for" instead of "since" (or vice versa), placing "yet" in the wrong position, using "already" in negatives, and choosing the wrong tense with "still."

Confusing "for" and "since"

✗ "I have lived here since five years."→✓ "I have lived here for five years."

Using "already" in a negative sentence

✗ "I haven't eaten already."→✓ "I haven't eaten yet."

Placing "yet" in the middle of the sentence

✗ "I haven't yet finished."→✓ "I haven't finished yet."

Using past simple instead of present perfect with "for/since"

✗ "I lived here for three years." (if still living there)→✓ "I have lived here for three years."

Wrong position for "just" with present perfect

✗ "I have arrived just."→✓ "I have just arrived."

How do time expressions work with different tenses in English? (B2 level)

At B2 level and above, time expressions interact with a wider range of tenses and can shift meaning depending on context. Understanding these nuances will improve both your reading comprehension and your writing accuracy significantly.

Expression	With Present Perfect	With Other Tenses
for	"I have known her for years."	"I waited for an hour." (past)
since	"She's been here since noon."	"Since he left, things changed." (clause)
already	"I've already seen it."	"When I arrived, he had already left." (past perfect)
still	"She still hasn't replied."	"He was still working at midnight." (past continuous)
just	"They have just arrived."	"I was just leaving." (past continuous)

B2 insight: "Since" can introduce a subordinate clause with a past tense verb even when the main clause is in the present perfect: "Since she started the new job, her confidence has grown." Notice the past simple in the since-clause.

Quick Reference: Position Rules for Time Expressions

One of the most practical skills for time expressions is knowing exactly where each word goes. Here is a complete position guide for the most important time adverbs.

already

between aux and participle

has already gone

yet

end of sentence

hasn't gone yet

still

before main verb

still goes / is still going

just

between aux and participle

has just gone

no longer

before main verb

no longer goes

anymore

end of sentence

doesn't go anymore

Memory trick

Middle words (already, just, still, no longer) go before the main verb or between auxiliary and participle. End words (yet, anymore) go at the end. When in doubt, say the sentence aloud — natural stress will guide you to the right position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Statistics and research cited on this page:

•
Cambridge Grammar of English — Reference for position rules and usage distinctions of already, yet, still, and just, including discussion of British vs American English differences with "just" and the present perfect.Cambridge Dictionary
•
Swan, M. (2005) — Practical English Usage — Description of "no longer" vs "not... anymore" register differences and "still" position in negative sentences. Oxford University Press.
•
Leech, G. (2004) — Meaning and the English Verb — Analysis of aspect and time expressions in English, including the relationship between present perfect and time adverbials for and since. Pearson Longman.
•
COCA Corpus (Corpus of Contemporary American English) — Evidence for American English preference for simple past with "just" vs British English present perfect.english-corpora.org
•
Celce-Murcia, M. & Larsen-Freeman, D. (1999) — The Grammar Book — Detailed analysis of temporal adverbs and their interaction with tense and aspect in English. Heinle & Heinle.

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