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Olive file 673 Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

I have been away or i was away?

Let's say I have just returned from a week's holiday. Can I say "I have been away for a week" or do I have to say "I was away for a week"? Or are both possible?

  

Top answer

I think that both are possible but it's better to say "I've been away for a week" when the immediacy of having been away is obvious. , "I was away for two weeks last month". )

— Tkacka15

  • I think that both are possible but it's better to say "I've been away for a week" when the immediacy of having been away is obvious.
  • , "I was away for two weeks last month".
  • )
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2 Answers
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I think that both are possible but it's better to say "I've been away for a week" when the immediacy of having been away is obvious. I'd rather use "I was away for two weeks" with a time marker of the past, e.g., "I was away for two weeks last month".

(I'm a non-native.)

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In isolation, they both sound right. As an answer to a question, "where have you been?" or "where were you?" for example, I think both work well, although it would probably be best to answer using the same verb form as in the question - though both would be understood. As a conversation starter, Hey, guys, I've been away for a week - I think both would be properly understood. To me, an Ameri

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