English grammar
Present perfect + since / for
Describe symptoms and say how long you've had them.
From the scene I have a fever
In short
For something that started and hasn't stopped, use the present perfect with since + a point or for + a length.
Your turn
Which one goes with since + point in time?
Options: for hours / for two days · since this morning / since dinner · How long have you had a fever?
Show answer
since + point in time → since this morning / since dinner
How it works
I've had a fever since this morning = it started then and hasn't stopped: present perfect (have + past participle).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
No... I (blank) a fever.
Options: has · am · have
Show answer
No... I have a fever.
No... tengo fiebre.
Good to know
Since + a point in time (since this morning, since dinner); for + a length of time (for hours, for two days).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Since dinner. And I've been sick (blank).
Options: second · twice · two
Show answer
Since dinner. And I've been sick twice.
Desde la cena. Y he vomitado dos veces.
Good to know
Not "I have fever since two days": use the present perfect and for: I've had a fever for two days.
how long? How long have you had a fever?
Nuria
How long have you had a fever?
¿Desde cuándo tienes fiebre?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)?
Options: Since this morning · For two days · How long have you had a fever
Show answer
Nuria
How long have you had a fever?
¿Desde cuándo tienes fiebre?
since + point in time since this morning / since dinner
Javi
I've had a fever since this morning.
Tengo fiebre desde esta mañana.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I've had a fever (blank).
Options: How long have you had a fever · for two days · since this morning
Show answer
Javi
I've had a fever since this morning.
Tengo fiebre desde esta mañana.
for + length of time for hours / for two days
Javi
I've been dizzy for hours and I have a cough.
Estoy mareado desde hace horas y tengo tos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I've been dizzy (blank) and I have a cough.
Options: How long have you had a fever · since dinner · for hours
Show answer
Javi
I've been dizzy for hours and I have a cough.
Estoy mareado desde hace horas y tengo tos.
not: I have fever since two days I've had a fever for two days
Your turn
What goes with I've had a fever for two days?
Options: how long? · since + point in time · not: I have fever since two days
Show answer
I've had a fever for two days → not: I have fever since two days
Common mistake
Not for or from here. This morning is a starting point.
I've had a fever since this morning.
Tengo fiebre desde esta mañana.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| how long? | How long have you had a fever? |
|---|---|
| since + point in time | since this morning / since dinner |
| for + length of time | for hours / for two days |
| not: I have fever since two days | I've had a fever for two days |
More lines from the story
- JaviNo... I have a fever.No... tengo fiebre.
- JaviSince dinner. And I've been sick twice.Desde la cena. Y he vomitado dos veces.
- JaviI think it's flu. Seafood flu.Creo que es gripe. Gripe de marisco.