Time expressions used with the Present Perfect Continuous

Since and for
"Since" and "for" are very common time expressions used with the Present Perfect Continuous. We use "for" with a period of time. Example:

• I have been living here for 20 years.

When talking about a starting point, we use "since" with a point in time.

• I have been living here since 1960.

More about time expressions

Remember that in the Present Perfect Continuous you cannot use time expressions such as

• two months ago
• one year ago
• last week
• yesterday
• when I was five years old

If you're wondering why it's incorrect to use them, it's because they specify accurately when something happened. You can, however, use time expressions such as:

• already
• yet
• before
• never
• recently
• at last
• ever
• just
• lately