Since or For? The Timeline Trick

Lovely! You're chatting with someone new at a party.

Asyik! Kamu sedang mengobrol dengan orang baru di sebuah pesta.

They ask, how long have you lived here?

Mereka bertanya, sudah berapa lama kamu tinggal di sini?

And you say, since three years.

Lalu kamu menjawab, "since three years".

They nod politely... but they look a bit confused.

Mereka mengangguk sopan... tapi kelihatan agak bingung.

Here's the trick. Picture a timeline.

Ini triknya. Bayangkan sebuah garis waktu.

Since points to one moment on that line.

"Since" menunjuk satu titik waktu di garis itu.

For measures the whole stretch.

"For" mengukur seluruh rentangnya.

Since Monday. Since last summer. Since I was ten.

"Since Monday." "Since last summer." "Since I was ten."

Each one is a single point in time.

Masing-masing adalah satu titik waktu.

But for three years. For two weeks. For ages.

Tapi: "for three years", "for two weeks", "for ages".

See? Each one is a length, like a piece of string!

Lihat? Masing-masing adalah rentang, seperti seutas tali!

Oh, and here's a bonus!

Oh, dan ini bonusnya!

Both usually go with the present perfect.

Keduanya biasanya dipakai dengan present perfect.

I've lived here for three years. I've lived here since last summer.

"I've lived here for three years." "I've lived here since last summer."

So next time, ask yourself one thing.

Jadi lain kali, tanyakan satu hal pada dirimu.

Can I point at it on a calendar?

Bisakah aku menunjuknya di kalender?

Yes? Since. No? It's a length, so for.

Bisa? "Since". Tidak? Itu rentang, jadi "for".

Now, how long have you been learning English?

Nah, sudah berapa lama kamu belajar bahasa Inggris?