"how long is it since" vs. "how long ago"

[Mori]

Is there a difference between the following sentences:

How long is it since you last visited a museum?
How long ago did you visit a museum?

 

[emsr2d2]

Is there a difference between the following sentences?

1. How long is it since you last visited a museum?
2. How long ago did you visit a museum?

Of course there's a difference. They use different words. If you ask a slightly different question, you'll probably get the answer you're actually looking for.

 

[Mori]

If you ask a slightly different question, you'll probably get the answer you're actually looking for.

Sure: Is there a difference in meaning between the above sentences?

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, there's a difference in meaning. The lack of the word "last" in the second means you won't get the same answer you will to the first.

 

[Mori]

Yes, there's a difference in meaning. The lack of the word "last" in the second means you won't get the same answer you will to the first.

Thanks for the answer, but I'm not sure I understand what you mean: Can't two years ago, for example, be the answer to both of them?

 

[emsr2d2]

Q: How long ago did you visit a museum?
A: I went to the Louvre when I was six, then the Guggenheim when I was 22, but the last time I went was six months ago when I finally got to the Tate Modern.