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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Linguistics Studies

"Since a long time ago"

Hello:

Using "Since a long time ago"
was considered incorrect some years ago, as far as I know. Is it now acceptable?
  

Top answer

I wouldn't say it was. 'Since' refers to a point in time. 'For', on the other hand, refers to a period of time and doesn't have to be as well-defined: 'for ages', 'for a long time' 'forever', etc.

— Jussive

  • I wouldn't say it was.
  • 'Since' refers to a point in time.
  • 'For', on the other hand, refers to a period of time and doesn't have to be as well-defined: 'for ages', 'for a long time' 'forever', etc.
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21 Answers
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I wouldn't say it was. 'Since' refers to a point in time. 'For', on the other hand, refers to a period of time and doesn't have to be as well-defined: 'for ages', 'for a long time' 'forever', etc.
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I doubt that many native speakers accept "since a long time ago" in place of "for a long time", even though it is perfectly understandable.

I haven't seen them [*since a long time ago / for a long time].

CJ
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a long time ago is an adverbial phrase and since is a preposition.

Therefore, a phrase made of a preposition followed by an adverbial phrase was not and is not acceptible.

pine

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To some extent you are right, however, "for a long time" contradicts the rule you are using since "for a long time" is an adverbial phrase introduced by the preposition "for"

I know it has little to do with the main tread.

Jay
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Pinenuta long time ago is an adverbial phrase and since is a preposition.

Therefore, a phrase made of a preposition followed by an adverbial phrase was not and is not acceptible.

pine

An adverbial phrase can be a prepostional phrase eg, 'He did it on time'.

Btw, it's acceptable
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Jussive
Pinenuta long time ago is an adverbial phrase and since is a preposition.

Therefore, a phrase made of a preposition followed by an adverbial phrase was not and is not acceptible.

pine

An adverbial phrase can be a prepostional phrase eg, 'He did it on time'.
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Take the bins out tomorrow.

Take the bins out for tomorrow.
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JussiveTake the bins out tomorrow.

Take the bins out for tomorrow.

You obviously need to read you grammar book again.

Take the bins out for tomorrow.

In your example, out is the particle of the
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Hello Anon

"Here were gold pencil-cases, little ruby hearts with golden arrows through them, bosom-pins, pieces of coin, and small articles of every description, comprising nearly all that have been lost since a long time ago." This is a sentence used in "Mosses from an Old Manse" by Nathaniel Hawthorn.

OED uses "since a long time ago" in the definition of "way-back" as
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(deleted as redundant)
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