INDIAN ENGLISH - PREPOSITION

INDIAN ENGLISH - PREPOSITION

Speaking any language comes with some challenges. Spoken language is much different than the language is written on the paper. We use a word ‘literature’ for written text; it can be read and rewrite. The spoken language is used in interpersonal, group communication. It is the most sensitive aspect of language as it is considered more casual and not formal. At the same time it is the most sensational aspect. It motivates, trigger and seduce people.

As ‘English’ being second language in India and much part of the world, it is normally overshadowed with mother tongue of that country.

Today we will be discussing the example of an event that began in the past and continues into the present? In English, we often use prepositions to place a noun, pronoun or noun phrase in time. This way, we can communicate the passage of time.

The very common problem English learners face is how to use prepositions of time. Two of the most common prepositions of time are ‘for’ and ‘since’.

We will be studying the use of for, from and since
For - This preposition is talk about an amount of time or space. The amount of time could be seconds, minutes, hours, days, months or even years. In short -  for is used to specify a period of time.
There are common phrases derived out of this preposition

1.     for the weekend

2.     for ages

3.     for a long time

This can be used to talk about vague periods of time.
‘For’ can be used when talking about the past, present or future.
Here are three example sentences that use similar vocabulary, but use different verb tenses.

(Past) Last year, I traveled for four weeks.
(Present Continuous) I'm travelling for six weeks.
(Future) Next year, I will travel for three months.

Since - In English, we use since to refer to a point of time. Since can refer to a point after a specific time or event of past. We need to mention year, month or date. It is also refer to a particular point beginning sometime in the past and continuing until the present time. The best example we find in the advertisement, read the name plates of old bakeries and cake shops. Time of India use it on front page. Read carefully, ‘since 1835’. The important point is that since is used with a particular point in time.
The basic way of using since is this:

since + a particular point in time.

We normally use present perfect and past perfect tenses in the main clause of the sentence. You cannot use since when you are talking about the future because, by definition, since refers to specific point in the past.
Here are two examples in the present perfect tense:

It has been running since 8 a.m.
I have been driving since 10 p.m.

Esteemed confectioners since 1935

For - it is always used with a period of time. For is used to describe time but not specific time.
we can use for and since with similar verb tenses.

I have been driving for three hours.
I have been waiting since 11 p.m.

We have lived here for 30 years.
We have lived here since 1980.

In the example sentences, both for and since show an event that began in the past and continues into the present.
Always remember: for can be used with other verb tenses, including the future!

Example. I will be working for ‘TIME magazine’ for next two years.

From – It is used with certain "non-movement verbs". It show
someone's origin. If be from or come from are followed by the name of country, place or district.

Whenever we use ‘from’ to define time, we need to specify the time,

Example-       1. I work in office from 9.00am to 6.00pm.

2. We work from Monday to Friday.

When we use ‘from’ to define time we also need to specify it by using ‘to’. It is alsoways used for the purpose of past.

When from is used for travel or movement we again have to use it with to

Example –     1. I am traveling from Jaipur to Patna.

                        2. I will be traveling from 6^thJune to 17^th June this month.

In India many graduates, post graduates and professionals makes silly mistakes in English language. The usage of for, from and since is the trio of confusion. I am sure you must have liked my penmanship. Do write your feedback to me. Do contact me.

About Writer, -Writer is a Professor Mass Communication, film critic, writer, journalist and copywriter. I have been teaching cinema since 2005. I teach cinema and its roots in sociology, politics, history and psychology.