I have flu since three weeks..

Question

Given the following sentences:I have flu since three weeks.I have had flu since three weeks.I believe the second sentence is grammatically correct. Can someone please let me know whats wrong with the first sentence: grammatically as well as logically.Truly appreciate.Bharosey.

Khoff · Accepted Answer

Neither one is correct. If you still have the flu when you are speaking, say "I have had the flu for three weeks." If you no longer have the flu, say "I had the flu for three weeks."

(Sorry, I can't exactly explain why your sentences are incorrect. I can only tell you what the correct version is.)

Lucys · Answer

Yours are both incorrect. Here are some correct examples:

I have had the flu for the past three weeks.
Three weeks ago, I caught the flu.
I have had the flu for three weeks.

If you really want to use the word since, you could say:
I have had the flu since three weeks ago.

This would be correct, but awkward.
"Flu" requires "the" in front of it. If you want to refer to a time period as its own phrase, you should use the word "ago" after the phrase. You could say "Since I caught the flu, I have been sick." But to refer to a time period, you should say "Since I caught the flu three weeks ago, I have been sick."

Dimsumexpress · Answer

This is how I approch these sentences:

lucysI have had the flu for the past three weeks.
I have had the flu - implies that you began to develop the flu symptoms three weeks ago and you still have the lingering effects as you speak. The problem I see is the adjective "past" which seems to contradict the present perfect construction. I think it's better to omit "the past..." from the context.
Three weeks ago, I caught the flu.
It is not wrong, but I think it would sound better with " I had the flu three week ago ", which implies you are feeling fine now. "Caught " seems to offer a sense that you may still have the residual symptoms.

I have had the flu for three weeks. - This is good.

If you really want to use the word since, you could say:
I have had the flu since three weeks ago. I wouldn't say it's wrong but I was taught that present perfect tense doesn't work with "since + number + time period + ago" consrtuction. However, these are ok

Since last week
Since Friday
Since July

Rambharosey · Answer

dimsumexpressThis is how I approch these sentences:
lucysI have had the flu for the past three weeks.I have had the flu - implies that you began to develop the flu symptoms three weeks ago and you still have the lingering effects as you speak. The problem I see is the adjective "past" which seems to contradict the present perfect construction. I think it's better to omit "the past..." from the context.Three weeks ago, I caught the flu. It is not wrong, but I think it would sound better with " I had the flu three week ago ", which implies you are feeling fine now. "Caught " seems to offer a sense that you may still have the residual symptoms.I have had the flu for three weeks. - This is good.If you really want to use the word since, you could say:I have had the flu since three weeks ago. I wouldn't say it's wrong but I was taught that present perfect tense doesn't work with "since + number + time period + ago" consrtuction. However, these are okSince last weekSince FridaySince July

Thanks. Is the following sentence wrong:

I have the flu for past 3 weeks.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

rambharoseyThanks. Is the following sentence wrong:

I have the flu for past 3 weeks.

It is wrong. These are OK:

I have had the flu for three weeks.

I have had the flu for the past three weeks.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

rambharoseyIs the following sentence wrong:

I have the flu for past 3 weeks.

Strictly speaking, I'd say most grammarians will disapprove of this version, if its intent is to express that you began developing flu symptoms 3 weeks ago and you are still weakened by them . Assuming this is what you meant, Astars has shown you the correct versions. However, in casual conversations, I am not a bit surprised to hear people use your version. This said, these are the possible scenarios:

I had the flu for 3 weeks - implies you are no longer affected by the flu symptoms.
I have had this flu for weeks now - says I began to feel the symptoms, scratchy throat, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, fever and so on, and I am still under these conditions.

I have had the flu for [the past] 3 weeks - I already explained my view previously on the "the past 3 weeks" .This is a troubling and confusing construction as far as clarity is concerned. The present perfect suggests I am still feeling the flu symptoms, but "past 3 weeks" offers a hint that it is a past event. So my suggestion was to omit " the past" from the sentence so that the meaning of the statement is crytal-clear.

Rambharosey · Answer

Thanks. Can you please let me know what 'exactly' is wrong with the sentence.

Regards,
Bharosey.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

I have flu since three weeks.

What is wrong, exactly? There are 3 things wrong:

1) The verb (have) is in present tense, but the adverb indicates past time.
2) The determiner "the" is missing.
3) Since three weeks is not a proper use of the preposition since.
Since needs a particular point in time as its object, not a duration of time.

CalifJim · Answer

rambharoseyI have flu since three weeks.

I have had flu since three weeks.

since + point in time
for + amount of time

I have known him since 1998. / I have known him for 12 years.
I have felt sick since last Monday. / I have felt sick for five days.
I have had the flu since September 8. / I have had the flu for three weeks.

CJ

Lucys · Answer

dimsumexpressI have had the flu - implies that you began to develop the flu symptoms three weeks ago and you still have the lingering effects as you speak. The problem I see is the adjective "past" which seems to contradict the present perfect construction. I think it's better to omit "the past..." from the context.

I disagree. "I have had the flu for three weeks" has two meanings.
1. During the previous three weeks, I was sick with the flu.
2. At some point in the past, I had the flu, and it lasted a long time.

Adding "the past three weeks" clarifies it from "I have had the flu for three weeks before."
Saying "for the past three weeks" is also common in speech and no one would blink if you said it.

I have flu since three weeks..

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