HIGHER SCOREコミュの"for years" and "in years"

Hello,everyone.
My name is Sachiko.
Nice to meet you.
I joined this community today!

I have questions.
What's the difference between "for years" and "in years"?
Example:
I haven't eaten a hot dog for years.
I haven't eaten a hot dog in years.

One of my friends told me that is the way western people say it and meaning is...
I haven't eaten a hot dog for years.
= I didn't eat a hot dog but I want to eat a hot dog again.
I haven't eaten a hot dog in years.
= I didn't eat a hot dog because I don't like it and I will not eat it again.

Is there no other rules?
And only western people use this rule?

Thank you for taking time for the questions.
Sachiko.

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[1] mixiユーザー 09月27日 10:41

Hi Sachiko

Sorry for not answering your question more quickly...

Your friend's idea is an interesting one, but actually "in years" and "for years" both have the same meaning: "not for a long time" or "not since a long time ago". If you check a good dictionary, you will see that both expressions are listed with the same meaning.

We do sometimes use these expressions with the idea "I haven't done something and I want to do it again" or the idea "I haven't done something and I don't want to do it again", but we could use either expression for either meaning.

I hope this helps and sorry, again, for taking so long to respond.

Christien

[2] mixiユーザー 09月28日 08:54

Hello, Christien.
Thank you for answering my question.
Don’t be sorry, I am fine as long as you don’t ignore my questions^^
Your explanation always helps me!

Using “in years” isn’t familiar to me.
I usually use “for years”.
So, I asked my friend what the differences between “in years” and “for years” are when I saw “in years” and I got the answer above.
I read my dictionary and I thought my friend might try to explain one of in’s definitions to me that is “Used with negative or with ‘first’ to say how much time has passed since the last time something happened: I haven’t enjoyed myself so much in years.”

I understand your explanation, thank you.
Sachiko.

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