It's been ten years (it has been that length of time)/since you've been here (since you were last here).Is it possible for S6 to mean M1 or M2?
S6: It's been ten years since you've been here.
M1: It's been ten years since the point oftime when you started to be here.
M2: It's been ten years since the point of time when you stopped being here.
There is only one meaning for S6, Britney... you have not been here for 10 years. That's it - no other possible meanings. You might be here now or you might not. The sentence doesn't tell us that. It only tells us that you haven't been here for 10 years.Thank you very much for your prompt reply.
Please let me confirm.
Is it possible for S6 to mean M3 or M4? In other words, Is it possible to use S6 in situation M3 or M4?
M3: You started to be here ten years ago, you've been here since then, and you're here now.
M4: You started to be here fifteen years ago, you were here for five years after that, you stopped being here ten years ago, you haven't been here since then, and you're not here now.
For this sentence, I would actually say: "It's been 10 years since the point in time in/at which you left." The word "when" just sounds strange. By changing it to either "in which" or "at which," you eliminate this confusion. Though, by all means, the first three (?) sentences you provided are much more precisely worded!"It's been 10 years since the point in time when you left". This sentence is awkward, though, and I would go with one of my other suggestions.
You misunderstand, Britney. M4 is correct. M4 says:Thank you very much for your quick and detailed replies.
I understand very well and am so happy to know M4 is incorrect.
Thank you.