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What do you think about the sentence below:
I haven't seen him for two days, since Monday.
or
.... since Monday, for two days.
Is it possible to use both of the two words? There seems to be no problem for me, I just want to hear the native speakers.
I just need the answers; no need to get confused! Unless it is very necessary, let's not talk about other issues!
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Rank: Advanced Member
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OK, my thoughts.
you can give the simple information, in one of two ways
I have not seen him since Monday (last time)
or
I have not seen him for two days (length of time)
and you can give the duration, with the extra information about when that would put the last sighting
but actually, it sounds a bit better to me with another negative
I have not seen him for two days, since Monday - this sounds slightly wrong to me somehow
I have not seen him for two days, not since Monday, - that sounds better.
I have not seen him since Monday, for two days, ,- no, this sounds totally wrong
I have not seen him since Monday, not for two days. - sounds OK, although not quite as natural as the other way round
so, I think it is OK either way round, depending on what information is more important (the day or the gap) but the second part needs another negative, as it would if it were first.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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I agree with thar.
His examples would be the way one would hear it said and used.
A great many people will think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. ~ William James ~
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Rank: Advanced Member
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If today were Wednesday, then either example would be acceptable and clear in everyday conversation. Yet as thar and FounDit point out, it isn't entirely logical.
One way to write this so that the sense of additional information is conveyed would be to use a "—" (dash) instead of a "," (comma) as a separator.
"I haven't seen him for two days — since Monday."
A more natural way would be to break it up into two clauses (with some extra words to help the flow):
"I haven't seen him since Monday; that's two whole days, now."
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." - Satchel Paige
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