Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[syoshioka99]

(Question) Which sentence(s) is/are correct gramatically? (I know they have different meanings)

1. I am in Japan for two years.

2. I was in Japan for two years.

3. I have been in japan for two years.


Satoru


Tochigi, Japan

[mat]

I think number 1 could be used when replying to the question "How long are you in Japan?" before you go or while you are there.

Number 2 is used after coming back from Japan.

Number 3 is used while you are there.
_________________
-Mat

[syoshioka99]

Are you sure about that? I mean I didn't know that number 1 (I am in Japan for two years.) can be used. Is it like you guys use the phrase just in England? or all over the globe??? I mean is it an received(accepted?) english grammar??? (cos you know I didn't think it was correct, rather I thought it was a wrong english sentence, and ONLY #2 is correct. In Japan, we regard the #1 sentence as wrong and restate like this:I have been in japan for two years...)

anyway, thanks for your comment.

Satoru

Tochigi, Japan

[KazAV]

You are correct. I have never heard number one being used in England (and I'm English) or anywhere. As far as I know, it is not correct grammar. We would also say I have been in Japan for two years.

[mat]

You can use it in certain situations but it's better to be safe than sorry and go with what you know.
_________________
-Mat

[syoshioka99]

Mat,

--You can use it in certain situations---

Can you be more specific?(I would definetely like to know cos Im a teacher here in japan.)


Satoru

[lotus]

Hi syoshioka99,

Numbers 2 and 3 are certainly correct and are common sentences.

Number 1 can be heard in certain situations as part of a sentence.


Hi John, how do you like it here in Japan?

Well Steve, I've been here for a long time, but I'm starting to run out of money.

Why don't you just leave, then?

Because, I have a two-year lease on my apartment. Basically, I'm stuck here in Japan for two more years.

Why don't you just break the lease?

I'm not that kind of guy. As far as I'm concerned, I'm in Japan for two more years.

What are you going to say to your fiance?

I'm just going to call her up and tell her that I can't control my circumstances. I might ask her for some money to help me out. She just has to get used to the fact that I will be in Japan for two years.

But, what if she won't wait for you?

We have a good relationship. I'm sure she'll be patient and support me while I'm in Japan for two years.

Well, good luck to you.

Thanks.


--lotus

[syoshioka99]

thank you very much.


Satoru

Japan

[syoshioka99]

then...how about this?

"Is that Italian restaurant next to the bookstore new?"
"No, I think (it's been open/ it's open) for more than a year now.
(question)

If #1(I am in Japan for two years) is correct, why the answer above is "it's been open"?????

Can't "it's open" be correct, too???

Satoru

[lotus]

Hi syoshioka99,

This appears to be a different question.

"Is that Italian restaurant next to the bookstore new?"
"No, I think (it's been open/ it's open) for more than a year now."

The implication is that the restaurant was open before and is still open today for business. Therefore, you use the present perfect continuous:

"It has been open for more than a year now."


--lotus

[KazAV]

Saying she will support me while I'm in Japan doesn't need the two years added on at the end since, in a normal conversation in that context, something like two years time in Japan would probably have been established earlier in the conversation or would be understood. It doesn't sound natural and I think that is what the OP is aiming for.

The other examples are perfectly good.