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Learn English with Real Conversations Podcast | For vs Since vs Ago in English

🎧 For vs Since vs Ago — Stop Confusing English Time Expressions | Real English Conversation

Many English learners know vocabulary…
many understand grammar…

But when someone asks:

“How long have you lived here?”

they freeze.

Because of three tiny words:
for • since • ago

These small words control how you talk about your life, your past, your habits, and your experiences.
If you mix them up, native speakers still understand you — but your English sounds unnatural and sometimes confusing.

In this episode of Mr Everyday English, Ana and Paul explain them in the simplest way possible using real conversations, daily situations, and stories — not complicated grammar rules.

This lesson will finally make English time expressions click in your brain.

What you’ll learn in this episode
1️⃣ FOR — duration (How long?)

We use for when we measure a period of time.

Think: counting time.

Examples:

I studied English for two years.

We waited for twenty minutes.

I slept for eight hours.

Key idea:
For answers the question → “How long?”

2️⃣ SINCE — starting point (When did it begin?)

We use since when we show the exact moment something started and it continues until now.

Think: pointing at a calendar or clock.

Examples:

I have lived here since 2020.

She has been sick since Monday.

I have been awake since 6 AM.

We’ve been friends since high school.

Key idea:
Since answers → “From what time?”

3️⃣ AGO — finished past time (How far back?)

We use ago to go backward from now to a finished action.

Think: jump into the past.

Examples:

I moved here three years ago.

He called me ten minutes ago.

We met a long time ago.

Important rule:
👉 Ago always goes at the end of the sentence.

The Simple Memory Trick

FOR = a length of time

SINCE = a starting point

AGO = distance back from now

Example comparison:

I lived there for five years. (duration)

I have lived there since 2019. (start point)

I moved there five years ago. (finished past)

Common mistakes learners make

❌ since five years
✔ for five years

❌ for Monday
✔ since Monday

❌ ago two days
✔ two days ago

Why this lesson matters

You need these words in real conversations:

introducing yourself

talking about work

friendships

relationships

routines

life experiences

Without them, you cannot naturally answer basic questions about your life.

This episode trains you to think about time in English, not translate from your language.

Practice after watching

Write in the comments:

• one sentence with for
• one sentence with since
• one sentence with ago

We read your sentences and help correct them.

Subscribe to Mr Everyday English for slow, clear, real-life English conversations every week.


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