in a long time/ for a long time

[sairashab]

which one of the following is correct
-I haven't seen her in a long time.
-I haven't seen her for a long time.

I think they are used in different contexts, what are they?

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by sairashab

which one of the following is correct
-I haven't seen her in a long time.
-I haven't seen her for a long time.

I think they are used in different contexts, what are they?

_I haven't seen her for a long time. This sentence is correct.

[csharp]

I haven't seen her for a long time. Correct
I haven't seen her in a long time. I think you're using E with the structure of your native language. :))

[svartnik]

both are fine

[sairashab]

Thanks for y'all's reply. and no i am not using it from my native language. I have heard people say that. they use both but I can't figure out the difference.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by sairashab

which one of the following is correct
-I haven't seen her in a long time.
-I haven't seen her for a long time.

I think they are used in different contexts, what are they?

'in a long time' and 'for a long time' are both acceptable today; that doesn't make them equivalent.

With a verb in the perfect (present or past) they're sometimes equivalent, although 'in a long time' is American and is not accepted by some BE speakers.

I haven't seen her in a long time = I haven't seen her for a long time

But with a verb in the perfect referring to an ongoing process, 'for a long time' is the only option in BE:

I've been writing this novel for a long time.

(I suspect this may also apply to AmE, but am open to correction.)

With a verb that refers to the future, the only possibility in BE is 'for a long time':

I am going to France for a long time.

(I suspect this may also apply to AmE, but am open to correction.)

b

[sairashab]

I've been writing this novel for a long time.

(I suspect this may also apply to AmE, but am open to correction.)

With a verb that refers to the future, the only possibility in BE is 'for a long time':

I am going to France for a long time.

(I suspect this may also apply to AmE, but am open to correction.)

yeah these surely are true in american english as well. its only usage that confused me was in the sentence I haven't seen her in a long time

thank you :)