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When + (past simple) How long + (present perfect) -- When did it start raining? It started raining an hour ago / at 1 o'clock. -- How long has it been raining? It's been raining for an hour / since 1 o'clock. -- When did Joe and Carol first meet? They first met a long time ago / when they were at school. -- How long have Joe and Carol known each other? They've known each for a long time / since they were at school. -- When did Bob and Alice get married? -- How long have Bob and Alice been married? for / since： A. for + a period of time / since + the start of a period -- I've been waiting for two hours. -- I've been waiting since 8 o'clock. It is possible to leave out "for" (but usually NOT in negative sentences) -- They've been married (for) ten years. -- They haven't had holiday for ten years. We DO NOT use "for + all" (all day / all my life, etc.) -- I've lived here all my life. ( not "for all my life") B. We say “It's (a long time / two years etc.) since sth. happened” (since + past simple) -- It's two years since I last saw Joe. -- It's ages since we went to the cinema. How long is it since ... ? -- How long is it since you last saw Joe? (When did you last see Joe?) -- How long is it since Mrs Hill died (When did Mrs Hill died?) |
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