[Grammar] It's been far too long since we've seen each other.

[andi harper]

What is the difference between these two?
It's been a long time since we've seen each other.
It's been a long time since we saw each other.

 

[bhaisahab]

There is no difference in meaning.

 

[andi harper]

There is no difference in meaning.

Each of the sentences has to imply something different.

 

[emsr2d2]

Andi Harper, you need to understand that there is frequently more than one way to express exactly the same thing in English.

 

[andi harper]

Then you will have to rewrite one of them. As they stand, there is no difference in meaning - as bhai told you.

What about these?
It's been a while since I've had anyone over.
It's been a while since I had anyone over.

 

[emsr2d2]

If you capitalise "I" in both sentences, they're both correct, natural and acceptable.

 

[andi harper]

They don't have the same meaning.

"It's been a long time since you've been operational" means that you are no longer operational and that you became non-operational a long time ago.
But this was said to a person out of surprise who was holding a gun at the moment as he was about to go into the field. (police procedural drama).

 

[Matthew Wai]

In the context in post#28, 'It's been a long time since you've been operational' means 'You've not been operational for a long time'.

Is that correct?

 

[GoesStation]

In the context in post#28, 'It's been a long time since you've been operational' means 'You've not been operational for a long time'.

Is that correct?

Yes.

 

[Matthew Wai]

'You have done much since you have been operational.'
'Since' means 'because', and 'have been operational' refers to a period from the past to the present.

Is that correct?

 

[GoesStation]

'You have done much since you have been operational.'
'Since' means 'because', and 'have been operational' refers to a period from the past to the present.

Is that correct?

The second proposition is correct. Since you have been operational means "in the time between your becoming operational and now."

 

[andi harper]

I also read somewhere that present perfect can be used in the since-clause to imply that the action is repeatable. Is this true?

 

[GoesStation]

As a native Anglophone, I don't think about questions like that, but it sounds plausible.

 

[andi harper]

Is it okay to say:
It's been a long time since I was to Spain.

 

[engee30]

I'll also say that it is not.
Here's a clue: the preposition to can be used with verbs of movement (was is not one of such verbs).

 

[emsr2d2]

Is it okay to say:
It's been a long time since I was to Spain.

No.

It's been a long time since I was in Spain.
It's been a long time since I went to Spain.

 

[engee30]

Funnily enough, I'm getting the distinct impression that I once was involved in such a discussion. Tedious is the word. Agreed. ;-)

 

[engee30]

(The other thread referred to in that thread is https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/141513-Have-you-ever-been-or-gone-windsurfing)

Yes, that's the very thread where it all kicked off. Good old times. Lovely little skirmishes over English language usage issues, breaking out form time to time. :-D

 

[engee30]

Yes, I've got a hazy memory of that person. I couldn't actually identify the person by their name, to be honest with you.
EOC as in, maybe, enlightened over conversation. :lol:

 

[andi harper]

Are any of these correct?
He's gained popularity ever since he went to/visited Paris. (still famous)
He's gained popularity ever since he's been to Paris.
He gained popularity after he visited Paris. (not famous anymore or could still be)
It was not until he visited Paris that he became famous. (not famous anymore)
It was not until he visited Paris that he's become famous. ( still famous)