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Junkomama
Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 592
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 Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 3:19 am Post subject: these years |
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Hello, teachers!
Is it possible to change "for the last few years" in the following sentence for "these years"?
He has been struggling with the problem for the last few years.
With regards,
Junkomama |
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doliver
Joined: 09 Oct 2005
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:13 am Post subject: these years / the last few years |
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Hello, Junkomama.
You wrote:
| Quote: |
Is it possible to change "for the last few years" in the following sentence for "these years"?
He has been struggling with the problem for the last few years. |
Comments:
No. "For the last few years" essentially means 'for several years'�an unspecified (thought not large) number of years in the past. "These years" would refer to a particular period of time, but there is no context in the sentence to suggest that specific years are being referred to.
Best wishes�
D. Oliver
_________________
Dennis Oliver
Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ U.S.A.
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu |
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ab
Joined: 16 Oct 2005
Posts: 81
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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i have tutored many chinese, and taught in China.
The one thing ALL chinese seem to do is say "These years", or "These days".
A common expression is "How are you these days".
As a Native speaker of English, I have NEVER said it, and will probably NEVER say it.
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ab2146 |
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Junkomama
Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 592
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:49 am Post subject: |
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Hello, Dennis-san. Hello, ab-san.
Thank you very much for your replies.
Those were great help to me!
With regards,
Junkomama |
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doliver
Joined: 09 Oct 2005
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 3:14 am Post subject: |
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I'm glad my comments were useful, Junkomama.
D. O.
_________________
Dennis Oliver
Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ U.S.A.
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu |
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