Learn English – Can the preposition “in” be used instead of “for” in the following sentence

present-perfectpresent-tense

English grammar books say that when you express a period of time in present perfect, the prepostions such as "for" or "since" should be used.

Example sentences:

I have lived here for 20 years.

I want to do something I haven't done for years.

I have studied French for three years.

Can I use "in" instead of "for" in these sentences? Are they interchangeable?

Best Answer

In can be used instead of for only in the second example. The other sentences can have only for to be correct.

Edit upon comment: In can be used to show the same thing after first, last, etc as in:

It's the first email I've had in ten days.

And as it's been pointed out, when the sentence is negative, in and for are interchangeable.

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