"after XXX years" and "for the first time in XXX years"

[Daruma]

Hello.

Toasting rye bread. - Free Online Library
Last summer we met for the first time in twenty-two years.

Can I say "after XXX years" in place of "for the first time in XXX years"?

Thank you.

[Ann1977]

Hello.

Toasting rye bread. - Free Online Library
Last summer we met for the first time in twenty-two years.

Can I say "after XXX years" in place of "for the first time in XXX years"?

Thank you.

Yes, they amount to the same thing in this case, but I don't think they're completely interchangeable.

"after 22 years" stresses the fact of waiting; it stresses the elapsing of the interval. It is used to indicate that a period of waiting has ended.

"for the first time in 22 years" stresses the renewal or resumption of the situation.

> Finally, after 22 years, I staggered out of prison a free man. For the first time in 22 years, I saw flowers growing and women with children.

> After 22 years of military service, I finally called it quits. I handed in my resignation, and for the first time in 22 years I went outdoors on a Monday morning dressed in civvies.

[2006]

Hello.

Toasting rye bread. - Free Online Library
Last summer we met for the first time in twenty-two years. This means that you met 22 years before last summer, and last summer you met again.

Can I say "after XXX years" in place of "for the first time in XXX years"?
Last summer we met after twenty-two years. This sentence does not express a complete meaning. You met after 22 years of what?


Last summer we met after twenty-two years of being pen pals. This sentence (means)(strongly suggests) that you met for the first time ever last summer.


Thank you.

2006