Is it possible to say: I haven't spoken to him for 15 years.

[Detlef]

Hi Alan,

Is it possible to say:

I haven't spoken to him for 15 years. And then if you make a question: For how long haven't you spoken to him?/ or For how long did you say you haven't spoken to him?/ How long did you say you haven't spoken to him?

It would take us five months to build a new house. Question: How long would it take us to build a new house?/ How long did you say it would take us to build a new house?

or:

It would take five months to build a new house. Question: How long would it take to build a new house?/ How long did you say it would take to build a new house? How long would it take to have a new house built?

Are these correct, what is your opinion?

Thanks
_________________
The Importance Of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) I just love him!

[Cerberus™]

I am not Alan and I will only ask why these questions are so urgent; just out of curiosity.

[Detlef]

Since you do not wish to reveal anything about yourself, I find it extremely dangerous to answer your question. Moreover, it is not your right to question me about a message that I have posted on this forum. Just out of curiousity you say? Well, you certainly don't know what it did to the cat. By the way, Cerberus, it's always wrong when you have secrets. I don't know where you're from, how old you are. Yet, it is your privilege to have as many secrets as you want, but I want to have a life free of secrets, vendettas, arrogance, you know, the whole package. So, I think I've made myself clear, I don't like the way you wrote me this message.
Does this satisfy you, my dear?
_________________
The Importance Of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) I just love him!

[Alan]

Hi Marc,

I can't see why the question posed by Cerberus has agitated you so. It seems a fairly innocuous one to me.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[David30]

Excuse me, Is it correct to say?

1) The judge noticed everything that had happened.
2) The judge noticed everything that has happened.

Thanks

[Alan]

Hi,

Both sentences are acceptable. 'Had happened' suggests this was before another time and 'has happened' suggests 'up till now.'

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Cerberus™]

I am ashamed to admit that I cannot resist posting an answer. Detlef, I can only understand your displeasure by assuming that you interpreted my message as a complaint about your labelling the title of your message "urgent" and addressing it to a single person. Apart from the fact that I was really curious about the cause of this urgency, I must confess that my question was, to a small degree, also meant to make you think a bit about whether you should label a question "urgent", and whether you should address it to one person. I hoped that you would more willingly consider this in the context of another question than if I told you plainly, which would have sounded too unfriendly for my taste. Incidentally, I do not think anyone minds if you do not wish to tell us anything.

[Richard]

Hi dear Marc,

I know it's really annoying when someone doesn't answer to you and just criticize... I agree with you about he/she....and of course Alan is a native speaker, a teacher and knowledgeable person. But Cerberus is right you should not ask somebody to reply.

As far as I know we all have the right to participate actively in these discussions. I personally tend to read all the comments and pages and I want to learn what you want to learn.

Besides, Cerberus is a really helpful member who has helped me a lot thus far. Sometimes we are in a bad mood, just try to keep the atmosphere friendly.

Best of luck.
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Who dares to teach must never cease to learn. -John Cotton Dana

[Detlef]

Hi Cerberus, I guess I went a little too far. It's totally my fault. I haven't been feeling very well lately. You shouldn't be ashamed to post messages. Moreover, you have also helped me a great deal. I agree with what Richard says. You are a really helpful guy. So, would you please accept my apologies?
_________________
The Importance Of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) I just love him!

[Cerberus™]

Detlef, apology accepted. Let's forget about this.

[Cerberus™]

Richard, thank you for your compliments, and for your attempt at peacekeeping! For the record: I didn't say I was against addressing a question to a specific person; I only wished to elicit some reflection or discussion.

[Detlef]

Thank you. Yes, let's forget about this. There's already enough animosity in this world as it is.
Also thanks to Richard.
_________________
The Importance Of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) I just love him!

[HamburgEnglish]

[Alan]

Hi He,

Thanks for that - ouch!

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Harry_Ph]

Thank God that the issue is already resolved. Let there be peace on Earth! Merry Christmas! :)
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The more we learn, the less we seem to know.