How long have you had it? Use for with a period of time: “I’ve had this plant for two years.” Use since with the point when that time began: “I’ve had this plant since 2024.” The action or situation began in the past and continues now. Plants understand neither grammar nor calendars, but fortunately, you do. Your turn: Choose something you own. Write one sentence with for and another with since. Check that both sentences describe the same length of time. Photo: Janet Guynn