wistiti2  +  232684 Mon, 05 Jun 06 03:36 PM 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! wistiti2 Joined on Thu, Jun 30 2005 Full Member 134 Tomorrow's another day.

	Welkins2139  +  232693 Mon, 05 Jun 06 04:28 PM In adverb clause since, the verb is past tense and the main clause needs present prefect tense.  so only # 2 is correct. Welkins2139 Joined on Sun, Oct 9 2005 Full Member 414 Determination, Dedication and Devotion! Verbs, Tenses, Clauses, Adverbs, Past Tenses

	Grammar Geek  +  232699 Mon, 05 Jun 06 05:38 PM #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. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,671 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	wistiti2  +  232702 Mon, 05 Jun 06 06:01 PM 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? wistiti2 Clauses, Present Perfect

	Grammar Geek  +  232710 Mon, 05 Jun 06 06:24 PM You're saying my example is incorrect? How would you rewrite it? The present perfect of habitual action seems appropriate here. Grammar Geek Present Perfect

	wistiti2  +  232737 Mon, 05 Jun 06 08:05 PM  Grammar Geek wrote: #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've learnt "since" is "from the moment when". So the present perfect can't be used here. I can understand the structure, but grammatically, it makes no sense... wistiti2 Grammar, Present Perfect

	MrPedantic  +  232765 Mon, 05 Jun 06 11:36 PM 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 might say it in a wondering tone, for instance.)   And #4 is a combination of #2 and #3.   But I may be imagining it. I'd be interested to hear what other people have to say.   MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 12,592 ...opella forensis / adducit febris...

	Goodman  +  232798 Tue, 06 Jun 06 01:03 AM  Grammar Geek wrote: #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. "So it's been a long time since I've been to the hairdresser's". I see no problem with this sentence.  It's been a long time since I had last visited DisneyWorld.   It's been a long time since (subj + present / past perfect + object), this structure is fine to me Goodman Joined on Mon, Nov 7 2005 Senior Member 3,816 The name says it all! Grammar, Past Perfect

	wistiti2  +  232890 Tue, 06 Jun 06 08:58 AM    Sorry! I've just realized my examples were not very convincing, since I didn't use the same verb after since. I'll rewrite them as follows: 1. It's 4 years since I had a haircut. 2. It's 4 years since I've had a haircut. 3. It's been 4 years since I had a haircut. 4. It's been 4 years since I've had a haircut Now, what's your take? wistiti2 Verbs