Use of prepositions in and for with Present Perfect tense

Question

I would be thankful if any native could tell me whether the following sentence is correct - I am learning the language -.

I haven't spoken to my sister for / in a few days. Are for and in both correct? Is there any difference of usage - Thanks for your answer.

Jim Reynolds · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-17 17:21:04Z

1

Both are correct. Both are common, at least in "American English", and they mean exactly the same thing.

answered Apr 17, 2015 at 17:21

Jim Reynolds

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2

It's worth noting that the in version is very much an emerging American usage that probably doesn't sit well with many UK speakers. When speaking of future events, I'll see him for a week is very different to I'll see him in a week, so it just seems confusing to use them interchangeably for a past context.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 17, 2015 at 17:31
1

@FumbleFingers- What's interests me is that for could be ambiguous (context obviously clears things up immediately) But when I say I haven't spoken to her for a few days it could mean I've never had a conversation that lasted for a few days or it could mean that it's been a few days since we've spoken, whereas I think with in no such ambiguity exists. It makes more sense with a different verb: "I've haven't driven with her for a week" could mean I've never taken a cross-country trip with her or that I'm her driving instructor and her last lesson was last week.
– Jim
Apr 17, 2015 at 17:48

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