Pope Benedict XVI is in Britain from September 16-19

Question

Pope Benedict XVI is in Britain from September 16-19, making the first Papal visit to the UK for 28 years.I would have used 'in' instead of "for". To me, the use of "for"is incorrect. Please guide me.

JandrosUSA · Accepted Answer

Yes you're right Jackson, 'in' should be used here instead of 'for'. Very good!

Jackson6612 · Answer

Jandros, thanks a lot.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

'In' is certainly more common, but I wouldn't say that 'for' is wrong.

eg Check here, first paragraph
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/gloucestershire/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8517000/8517920.stm

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

I don't see how "for" structure is not wrong - not because BBC uses it? "for" is used in sentences like "I have been living here for the last 20 years" and "in" in sentences like "I have only eaten ice cream twice in the previous two years". Please guide me.

JandrosUSA · Answer

With respect to news journalists, please don't depend on every journalist to always use correct English! More and more I see obvious mistakes in writing; not so much in speaking, but certainly in written news articles. It's really sad that professionals are getting more and more careless in the quality of their communications.

In questions like this, I always advise people to see if the word "within" can be substituted for "in". If it works, if it provides a true and literal definition, then "in" is probably the most correct word:

A Pope has not visited the UK within the period of the last 28 years ... within the last 28 years ... in 28 years.

It is possible (arguable) that 'for' can be used in this sentence or in similar phrases. But as confusing as prepositions can be, I advise the best or simplest choice, or the most common usage. This is one case where 'in' is definitely a better choice than 'for'.

Calpurnia · Answer

According to Practical English Usage (Michael Swan 2005), in and for can both be used to talk about duration after negatives and superlatives, and in is particularly common in American English.

I think that first is acting as a superlative in the sample sentence, so in and for are both acceptable.

If we replaced first with second, we would have to say:
"...the second Papal visit to the UK in 28 years."

JandrosUSA · Answer

With sincerest respect calpurnia, I believe in trying to simplify (unclutter) practical learning as much as possible. Even if something is acceptable by technical definition, it still may not be as natural, as comfortable, as appropriate, or as universally common.

I also don't think 'first' can be called a superlative here ... As I see it, it's just a simple numerical/sequential, and to me it doesn't matter if it's the second, third or tenth visit. The structure and intent of the example are still the same.

But as always regarding prepositions, this is interesting and I'm all ears

Calpurnia · Answer

I wonder if this is another difference between American and British English? I'm a native British English speaker, and for sounds perfectly natural to me in this context.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Jandros, please don't mind anything. We all learn in different ways. I'm just a learner.

It's really sad that professionals are getting more and more careless in the quality of their communications.

I would have used 'communication' instead. I think you used plural form to indicate that there are several different ways journalists do their articles, i.e. online newspapers, electronic ones. There are more than one way to communicate themselves.

In questions like this, I always advise people to see if the word "within" can be substituted for "in". If it works, if it provides a true and literal definition, then "in" is probably the most correct word

I would have used 'meaning' instead.Is my way also correct?

It is possible (arguable) that 'for' can be used in this sentence or in similar phrases.

My choice would have been 'arguably' because it had to be an adverb. Please advise me.

Even if something is acceptable by technical definition, it still may not be as natural, as comfortable, as appropriate, or as universally common.

I would have said something like 'it still may not be as natural, as comfortable, as appropriate, or as universally common as it should be'. Perhaps, underlined part is omitted because it's already understood what someone means. Am I correct?

I also don't think 'first' can be called a superlative here

This is the first time I have ever done it in 10 years. A superlative is supposed to be where a comparison is being made. Could there be any comparison in such a case? Could there be a 'the second time' in 10 years? I don't think there could be because one cannot go back in time to do something which one didn't do when that time was flowing. If it's not a superlative, then even in BrE the use of "for" is not allowed, at least according to Swan.

Thank you very much for all the time and guidance. I can understand it takes a lot of time and energy to help someone on such issues.

JandrosUSA · Answer

It's no problem jackson, the whole purpose of this site is to learn

I'll make my reply as brief as I can:

communication or communications? I used plural only because 'their' is plural and I didn't want to risk confusing anyone. But I think the customs vary equally for this word, so I don't want to say if one is more right than the other.

definition or meaning? I typically use 'definition' when I refer literally to a dictonary definition. But I would say that it doesn't matter very much. It's your personal choice of which word to use.

arguable or arguably? I meant this as an adjective, as an alternative for the adjective 'possible'; maybe I should have written 'it is possible (orarguable)'. On the other hand, I could have also said it's arguably possible

... but that seems a little redundant.

... as it should be? No no, I did not mean it that way. I did not mean 'as it should be'. Just read what I wrote as an absolute.

superlative - comparison? Not a comparison; my point was that no matter if it's the first, second or tenth time, I think 'in' would be more appropriate in every case.

Yes this does take time and enegy, but so does playing basketball

)

Pope Benedict XVI is in Britain from September 16-19

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions