It's three years since he was a teacher. (This is Chinese middle school translation exam)
1. Is it right grammatically ?
2. That mean “He was not a teacher for three years” or “He has been teacher for three years”
寻找适合你的 英语 教师…
回答 · 12
3
It is a weak, but not incorrect, sentence. As you pointed out, people will interpret it in two opposing ways. Some people, including many native speakers, will read it and think he has been a teacher for the last three years. Other people will think that he stopped being a teacher three years ago. The second interpretation is the correct one but a sentence that 50% of native speakers will misunderstand should not be spoken. It can be cleared up like this:
If he started teaching three years ago, say
"It is (or 'has been') three years NOW since he BECAME a teacher".
If he stopped teaching three years ago, avoid the word "since" and say
"He has not been teaching for three years now."
or
"For three years now he has not been teaching."
2
"He hasn't been a teacher for three years."
2
It means he has not been a teacher for three years.
It would be clearer to say "It's been three years since he was a teacher" or "It's been three years since he last taught at school" or something like that.
I hope that helps.
0
This type of sentence is often made clearer by emphasising the time since X happened.
Like this. Making the sentence longer, long sentences are a part of the English language. Although you may be taught to make sentences shorter, In English sometimes you can't.
1. It has been three years since he was last a teacher.
2. It has been three years since he last taught.
Also these type of sentences can't always be shortened, when you do so you get ambiguity of meaning.
0
Is it grammatically correct? Yes.
Meaning: He stopped being a teacher three years ago.
还未找到你的答案吗?
把你的问题写下来,让母语人士来帮助你!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!
Start Learning Today
