Duration / Time + سے

Since a Time or for a Duration

Level 2

Read the time phrase together with the verb’s viewpoint.

How It Works

A present progressive can place an activity across that interval: دو گھنٹے سے پڑھ رہا ہوں says the reading began earlier and is continuing now.

A state works too: صبح سے دکان بند ہے. A past form of to be or a past progressive can instead make the interval lead up to an earlier reference time.

Do not use this phrase as a universal translation of English for. A completed visit lasting two days can use دو دن without سے; that is a different time relation.

Examples (4)

  1. میں دو گھنٹے سے پڑھ رہا ہوں۔

    I have been reading for two hours.

    The interval continues into the present.

  2. صبح سے دکان بند ہے۔

    The shop has been closed since morning.

    صبح gives the starting point of a state.

  3. ہم ایک گھنٹے سے انتظار کر رہے تھے۔

    We had been waiting for an hour.

    The waiting interval leads up to a past reference time.

  4. وہ تین دن سے یہاں ہیں۔

    They have been here for three days.

    The present copula keeps the state current.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Duration / Time + سےLevel 2Since a Time or for a Duration

Learn This First

Recognize سے as a starting-point marker. Interpret how a start or duration relates to the event’s time.

Words in This Pattern

سے