I have not worked here for a long time/for many years.
Is it ambiguous? Which of the two below is the correct meaning?
- I have been working here, but only for a short period of time.
- I once worked here, but I left a long time ago.
If it is ambiguous, how to express these two meanings unambiguously?
Another related expression:
I have not worked here in a long time/in many years.
I think it unambiguously expresses the 2nd meaning so I didn't bring it up. But I want to confirm it with experts here.
Best Answer
From a strictly grammatical point of view it is ambiguous. However a native speaker would only use the phrasing "for a long time" if they meant that they had worked here previously but it was a long time ago.
If the other interpretation was intended they would say: