I had been here since/from 1998.

Question

1. I had been here from the end of June. = wrong
2. I had been here from the end of June for one month. = correct
3. I have been here since 1998. = correct
4. I had been here since 1998. = ?
5. I had been here from 1998. = ?

Hello,
I know that 2 and 3 are correct and I also know that 1 is wrong. But what about 4 and 5?

Thank you.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

The first is not wrong in the right context. The same goes for 4 and 5.

Sb70012 · Answer

Thank you. Do you mean that 4 and 5 are also correct?

Fivejedjon · Answer

Yes, in the right context - as I suggested.

Sb70012 · Answer

1. I had been here from the end of June.
5. I had been here from 1998.

Thank you but I remember once a native English speaker had told me that 1 and 5 are wrong because:

Because "from" only states the start time. Talking about the past, it usually needs 'to' or 'until' to mark the end. We can say: "I was there from June until August." But if you talk about future, you can use "from" without "to" or "until". We should mention a period of time if we use "from" in a past tense sentence.

Don't you agree with the brown explanation that I had received from a native English speaker? Because in 1 and 5 by using the word "from" we have not mentioned the end or a period of time (i. e. for one month, for two months, etc.).

What's your opinion about his/her brown comment?

Thank you.

Fivejedjon · Answer

sb700121. I had been here from the end of June. 5. I had been here from 1998.

If these are uttered in the context of someone speaking about, for example, leaving 'here' (1) after June and (2) after 1988, they are possible. The period of their stay would extend up to the time of their leaving.

I had been here since/from 1998.

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