simple present + FOR

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Hela

#288094 Wed, 01 Nov 06 06:41 AM

Dear teachers,

I know that normally we should use the past (simple or perfect) with the adverb "for" but how come that in the following example we can use the simple present ?

I am here for two hours.

Many thanks,
hela

Hela

Joined on Mon, Nov 15 2004

Tunisia

Regular Member (830)

Adverbs, Simple present, Verbs

Siggy

#288101 Wed, 01 Nov 06 07:03 AM

Hela

In your sentence, "for" is used as a Preposition. It indicates a period of time. It is OK to use it in this way.

Siggy

Siggy

Joined on Mon, May 1 2006

Ohio, USA

Junior Member (82)

If life wasn't so pointless and absurd, I would take it more seriously

Prepositions, Simple present

Clive

#288795 Fri, 03 Nov 06 02:40 AM

Hi Hela,

I know that normally we should use the past (simple or perfect) with the adverb "for" This is not a good way to think about it. eg I will be here for two hours is fine.

but how come that in the following example we can use the simple present ?

I am here for two hours. Without a context, it's hard to know if this grammar conveys the person's meaning. I wonder if she means 'I have been here for two hours' (eg I arrived at 2pm and I am speaking at 4pm?)

I walk in now. It's 2pm. I say I am here for two hours. My meaning is that my intention is to stay until 4pm and then to leave.

eg At the start of my vacation, I might tell someone I am here in Mexico for two weeks.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (20,321)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Adverbs, Grammar, Simple present, Verbs

Philip

#288974 Fri, 03 Nov 06 03:31 PM

Clive wrote:

but how come that in the following example we can use the simple present ?

I am here for two hours. Without a context, it's hard to know if this grammar conveys the person's meaning. I wonder if she means 'I have been here for two hours' (eg I arrived at 2pm and I am speaking at 4pm?)

I am proficient in three languages that use this as the normal way of expressing "I have been here for...." I sometimes catch myself using the present (and then I'm relatively happy that "reverse-interference" is in play).