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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

When ... /How long...

0 I've been wondering about these two cases: 02br
02br
00Which one is correct and why? 02br
02br
00When you finish reading the book, drop me a line. 02br
00When you have finished reading the book, drop me a line. 02br
02br
00Are both of the following sentences possible? 02br
02br
00How long has he been teaching? 02br
00How long has he been teaching for? 02br
02br
00Thanks, 02br
02br
00Eustacia 0-
  

Top answer

0Hello, Eustacia, 02br 02br 00In your first pair of sentences, both are correct. The second expresses, perhaps, 01i 00slightly02i 00 more immediacy/concern/courtesy than does the first. 02br 02br 00In your second pair, the 'for' is optional, just as in the response: 'He has been teaching (for) seventeen years'.

— Mister Micawber

  • 0Hello, Eustacia, 02br 02br 00In your first pair of sentences, both are correct.
  • The second expresses, perhaps, 01i 00slightly02i 00 more immediacy/concern/courtesy than does the first.
  • 02br 02br 00In your second pair, the 'for' is optional, just as in the response: 'He has been teaching (for) seventeen years'.
  • 0-
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1 Answers
0
0Hello, Eustacia, 02br
02br
00In your first pair of sentences, both are correct. The second expresses, perhaps, 01i00slightly02i00 more immediacy/concern/courtesy than does the first. 02br
02br
00In your second pair, the 'for' is optional, just as in the response: 'He has been teaching (for) seventeen years'. 0-
0

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