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Wistiti2 Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
It's a long time since...
Here is a structure I don't really master:
1. It's a long time since I went to the hairdresser's
2. It's been a long time since I went to the hairdresser's
3. It's a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's
4. It's been a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's
Are they all correct? If yes, how do I know which one to use? Thanks!
1. It's a long time since I went to the hairdresser's
2. It's been a long time since I went to the hairdresser's
3. It's a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's
4. It's been a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's
Are they all correct? If yes, how do I know which one to use? Thanks!
Top answer
In adverb clause since, the verb is past tense and the main clause needs present prefect tense. so only # 2 is correct.
- In adverb clause since, the verb is past tense and the main clause needs present prefect tense.
- so only # 2 is correct.
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26 Answers
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In adverb clause since, the verb is past tense and the main clause needs present prefect tense. so only # 2 is correct.
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#4 seems correct to me as well.
I used to go get my hair styled every Satuday afternoon. But then Peggy, my favorite hairstylist left, and I haven't found anyone I like as well. So it's been a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's.
And you'll find that people will use the others in casual speech.
I used to go get my hair styled every Satuday afternoon. But then Peggy, my favorite hairstylist left, and I haven't found anyone I like as well. So it's been a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's.
And you'll find that people will use the others in casual speech.
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I thought "since" was followed by a complement/clause referring to a precise moment in the past. So how can we justify the present perfect here?
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You're saying my example is incorrect? How would you rewrite it? The present perfect of habitual action seems appropriate here.
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Grammar Geek#4 seems correct to me as well.I've learnt "s
I used to go get my hair styled every Satuday afternoon. But then Peggy, my favorite hairstylist left, and I haven't found anyone I like as well. So it's been a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's.
And you'll find that people will use the others in casual speech.
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Hello W2, I haven't seen you for a while.
To my mind, the examples have the following nuances:
#1 states the simple fact of the length of time.
With #2, there's a suggestion that you might be about to have a haircut, or are thinking about it.
With #3, you are putting a little more emphasis on the length of time. That's what you want to express. (You mi
To my mind, the examples have the following nuances:
#1 states the simple fact of the length of time.
With #2, there's a suggestion that you might be about to have a haircut, or are thinking about it.
With #3, you are putting a little more emphasis on the length of time. That's what you want to express. (You mi
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Grammar Geek#4 seems correct to me as well."So it's been
I used to go get my hair styled every Satuday afternoon. But then Peggy, my favorite hairstylist left, and I haven't found anyone I like as well. So it's been a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's.
And you'll find that people will use the others in casual speech.
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Sorry!I've just realized my examples were not very convincing, since I didn't use the same verb after since. I'll
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Goodman It's been a long time since I had last visited DisneyWorld.
I wouldn't say that... Shouldn't it be "It had been a long time since I had last visited etc..." And even tha one doesn't sound right to me... Anyway, the easiest way would be be "it's been
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Grammar GeekYou're saying my example is incorrect? How would you rewrite it? The present perfect of habitual action seems appropriate here.Can you please explain to me what you mean by "present perfect of habitual actions"? Thanks!
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