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 sinceFor - 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.(Present Continuous) I'm travelling for six weeks.
(Future) Next year, I will travel for three months.
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.
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.
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.We have lived here since 1980.
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.
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 6thJune to 17th 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.