It's a long time since...

1 2 3

Share on Facebook

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

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,997)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

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 (12,142)

...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 Smile [:)]