In & for a long time

Question

Hi, I have some questions.I won't see you in a long time = I won't see you for a long time?And,Is 'in a long time/for a long time' idiomatic? Especially 'for a long time', its true meaning in the above context doesn't fit its literal meaning.Am I right to understand 'I won't see you in a long time' as something like 'I won't see you anytime within a long period of time'?Thanks.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

cephI won't see you in a long time

This is not a natural phrasing. Here are some possibilities:

I haven't seen you in a long time. (Said upon meeting someone.)

I won't see you for a long time. (Said upon saying goodbye to someone.)

Ceph · Answer

AlpheccaStars
cephI won't see you in a long time

This is not a natural phrasing. Here are some possibilities:

I haven't seen you in a long time. (Said upon meeting someone.)
I won't see you for a long time. (Said upon saying goodbye to someone.)

1. You also can say 'I haven't seen you for a long time' so why can't we use 'I won't see you in a long time'?

There are nearly as many Google entries on 'won't see you for a long time' as 'won't see you in a long time'.

2. What is definition of 'for' in 'haven't seen/ won't see you for a long time'? For = over a span of time? It doesn't seem so to me and I can't find any literal meaning from the dictionary that fits the context.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

In this on-line dictionary, for has 34 unique definitions.

See definition #11 (you may have to click on the "expand" button)

In this particular context, for is looking forward in time (no end point, open-ended interval), and in is looking backward from the end point to some specific point in the past. (it describes a defined interval.)

In the same dictionary, see in definition #3

Ceph · Answer

AlpheccaStars
In this on-line dictionary, for has 34 unique definitions.
See definition #11 here (you may have to click on the "expand" button)

In this particular context, for is looking forward in time (no end point, open-ended interval), and in is looking backward from the end point to some specific point in the past. (it describes a defined interval.)

In the same dictionary, see in definition #3

But there's no denying, 'for' can be used in "I have not seen you for a long time" instead of 'in'; that's talking about the past, moreover a defined past interval not a open-ended interval in the future. Sorry but I fail to make sense of your explanation. Do you have another perspective on the matter?

I agree with the dictionary definition of 'in' that you gave but not 'for'.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

cephBut there's no denying, 'for' can be used in "I have not seen you for a long time"

Your original question was this:

I won't see you for a long time.

My answer was specific to the use of for (or in) in this sentence, which is future tense. I was trying to say that the preposition in makes sense for the past tense, but not the future tense. For can be used for either future or past. I referred to the relevant dictionary entries.

Sorry for the confusion.

Ceph · Answer

Moreover, the dictionary definition you pointed out to me for 'for' i.e. definition #11 is 'through'.

'I won't see you through a long time', that doesn't have the same meaning as 'I won't see you for a long time'. Are you certain about this?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Ok, I think we are not on the same page. I copied the definition here and highlighted #11:

for

–preposition
1. with the object or purpose of: to run for exercise.
2. intended to belong to, or be used in connection with: equipment for the army; a closet for dishes.
3. suiting the purposes or needs of: medicine for the aged.
4. in order to obtain, gain, or acquire: a suit for alimony; to work for wages.
5. (used to express a wish, as of something to be experienced or obtained): O, for a cold drink!
6. sensitive or responsive to: an eye for beauty.
7. desirous of: a longing for something; a taste for fancy clothes.
8. in consideration or payment of; in return for: three for a dollar; to be thanked for one's efforts.
9. appropriate or adapted to: a subject for speculation; clothes for winter.
10. with regard or respect to: pressed for time; too warm for April.
11. during the continuance of: for a long time.
12. in favor of; on the side of: to be for honest government.
13. in place of; instead of: a substitute for butter.
14. in the interest of; on behalf of: to act for a client.
15. in exchange for; as an offset to: blow for blow; money for goods.
16. in punishment of: payment for the crime.
17. in honor of: to give a dinner for a person.
18. with the purpose of reaching: to start for London.
19. contributive to: for the advantage of everybody.
20. in order to save: to flee for one's life.
21. in order to become: to train recruits for soldiers.
22. in assignment or attribution to: an appointment for the afternoon; That's for you to decide.
23. such as to allow of or to require: too many for separate mention.
24. such as results in: his reason for going.
25. as affecting the interests or circumstances of: bad for one's health.
26. in proportion or with reference to: He is tall for his age.
27. in the character of; as being: to know a thing for a fact.
28. by reason of; because of: to shout for joy; a city famed for its beauty.
29. in spite of: He's a decent guy for all that.
30. to the extent or amount of: to walk for a mile.
31. (used to introduce a subject in an infinitive phrase): It's time for me to go.
32. (used to indicate the number of successes out of a specified number of attempts): The batter was 2 for 4 in the game.

(etc.)

Anonymous · Answer

"I won't see you in a long time" sounds incorrect to me.

"I won't seen you for a long time" is correct. It means it will be a long time until I see you again.

However, the two sentences below are both right and mean the same thing:

I haven't seen you for a long time. (British English)

I haven't seen you in a long time. (American English)

I hope this helps.

In & for a long time

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