How to Use For and Since in Negative Sentences: 100 Examples for Exams

Struggling with “for” and “since” in negative sentences? This guide simplifies how to use for and since in negative sentences with 100 clear examples, exam tips, and FAQs. Master present perfect negatives like “I haven’t eaten for two days” to ace grammar sections in competitive exams effortlessly.

Introduction to How to Use For and Since in Negative Sentences

Mastering how to use for and since in negative sentences is essential for English grammar, especially in present perfect tense. “For” shows duration (e.g., for two hours), while “since” marks a starting point (e.g., since 2020). In negatives like “haven’t,” they clarify unbroken actions. This article delivers 100 examples, tips for exams, and FAQs to boost your scores.

Key Rules: For vs. Since in Negative Sentences

• For: Use with periods of time (days, weeks, years). Example: “She hasn’t called for three days.”
• Since: Use with specific start points (dates, events, times). Example: “They haven’t met since last year.”
• In negatives (haven’t/hasn’t + past participle), both emphasize absence of action over that time or from that point.
• Common tenses: Present perfect (haven’t done for/since) or past perfect (hadn’t done for/since).

These rules appear frequently in exams like SSC CGL, IBPS, or Telangana SSC English papers.

100 Examples of How to Use For and Since in Negative Sentences

Here are 100 clean, plain-text examples grouped by tense for easy study. Copy-paste for practice.

Present Perfect Negatives (1–50)

1. I haven’t seen her for two weeks.
2. He hasn’t eaten since morning.
3. We haven’t traveled for a year.
4. She hasn’t called for hours.
5. They haven’t argued since Monday.
6. It hasn’t rained for days.
7. You haven’t studied for months.
8. The shop hasn’t opened since the holiday.
9. My phone hasn’t rung for ages.
10. We haven’t met since college.
11. She hasn’t slept for 24 hours.
12. He hasn’t worked since Friday.
13. They haven’t won for a long time.
14. I haven’t visited for years.
15. The team hasn’t scored since halftime.
16. We haven’t heard from him for weeks.
17. She hasn’t smiled since the news.
18. It hasn’t stopped raining for hours.
19. You haven’t changed for a decade.
20. They haven’t arrived since noon.
21. I haven’t finished for two days.
22. He hasn’t replied since yesterday.
23. We haven’t partied for months.
24. The lights haven’t flickered for years.
25. She hasn’t complained since then.
26. It hasn’t warmed up for winter.
27. You haven’t apologized for ages.
28. They haven’t practiced since last week.
29. I haven’t cooked for a week.
30. He hasn’t shaved for days.
31. We haven’t cleaned since moving.
32. She hasn’t read for pleasure in months.
33. The car hasn’t started for hours.
34. You haven’t exercised since summer.
35. They haven’t invested for years.
36. I haven’t laughed for so long.
37. He hasn’t quit since starting.
38. We haven’t upgraded for a while.
39. She hasn’t healed for weeks.
40. It hasn’t crashed since the update.
41. You haven’t learned for exams yet.
42. They haven’t united since the split.
43. I haven’t relaxed for days.
44. He hasn’t aged for 50 years (jokingly).
45. We haven’t forgotten since that day.
46. She hasn’t improved for months.
47. The price hasn’t dropped for a year.
48. You haven’t shared since childhood.
49. They haven’t expanded for a decade.
50. I haven’t regretted for a second.

Past Perfect and Other Negatives (51–100)

51. She hadn’t waited for long.
52. He hadn’t spoken since dawn.
53. We hadn’t lived there for years.
54. They hadn’t returned since evening.
55. It hadn’t snowed for months.
56. You hadn’t prepared for weeks.
57. I hadn’t heard since the call.
58. She hadn’t danced for hours.
59. He hadn’t rested since noon.
60. We hadn’t argued for days.
61. The flight hadn’t delayed for minutes.
62. They hadn’t celebrated since victory.
63. It hadn’t malfunctioned for a year.
64. You hadn’t noticed for ages.
65. I hadn’t written since school.
66. She hadn’t shopped for weeks.
67. He hadn’t driven since the accident.
68. We hadn’t renovated for a decade.
69. They hadn’t contacted for months.
70. The server hadn’t crashed since update.
71. You hadn’t improved for lessons.
72. I hadn’t slept for nights.
73. She hadn’t apologized since then.
74. He hadn’t eaten for the party.
75. We hadn’t traveled since lockdown.
76. It hadn’t rained for summer.
77. They hadn’t met for reunion.
78. You hadn’t studied for test.
79. I hadn’t called for help.
80. She hadn’t finished for deadline.
81. He hadn’t quit for job.
82. We hadn’t seen for vacation.
83. The team hadn’t won for season.
84. They hadn’t practiced for match.
85. It hadn’t stopped for hours.
86. You hadn’t changed for better.
87. I hadn’t visited for holidays.
88. She hadn’t smiled for days.
89. He hadn’t worked for break.
90. We hadn’t cleaned for weeks.
91. They hadn’t invested for future.
92. The lights hadn’t dimmed for night.
93. You hadn’t learned for exam.
94. I hadn’t relaxed for stress.
95. She hadn’t healed for injury.
96. He hadn’t replied for message.
97. We hadn’t partied for event.
98. It hadn’t warmed for season.
99. They hadn’t united for cause.
100. You hadn’t forgotten since promise.

Important Tips for Students and Competitive Exams

• Tip 1: In exams, spot “for/since” in present perfect negatives—e.g., “He ___ (not see) her for ages” → “hasn’t seen.”
• Tip 2: “For” + quantity (for 5 years); “since” + point (since 2020). Negatives stress continuity of absence.
• Tip 3: Practice fill-in-blanks: Haven’t + V3 + for/since. Common traps: Mixing with simple past.
• Bonus: For Telangana SSC or SSC CGL, memorize 20 examples daily. Use in error-spotting questions.

FAQs on How to Use For and Since in Negative Sentences

1. What’s the difference between “for” and “since” in negative sentences?

“For” indicates duration (e.g., haven’t waited for hours), while “since” shows start time (e.g., haven’t waited since noon). Both work in present perfect negatives for unbroken absence.

2. Can I use “for” and “since” in past perfect negative sentences?

Yes, e.g., “She hadn’t eaten for days” or “hadn’t eaten since morning.” It’s less common but tests deeper tenses in exams.

3. How do I practice “how to use for and since in negative sentences” for exams?

Use the 100 examples above: Rewrite positives to negatives, or fill blanks. Apps like Grammarly or exam mocks help.

Conclusion on How to Use For and Since in Negative Sentences

Understanding how to use for and since in negative sentences unlocks perfect grammar scores. With these 100 examples and tips, tackle any exam confidently, haven’t mastered it yet? Practice now!

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes. Examples are original; consult official syllabi for exam-specific rules.

Also Read: Mastering Sentence Structure: The Ultimate Guide to Clear and Effective Writing

How to Use By and Until in Negative Sentences: Master English Grammar Rules

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