In/for the last few overs...

[Banglardon]

'In the last few overs" or "for the last few overs", which one should I use? Besides this which tense should I use here?


- I have been watching this test match for quite a long time. But in/for the last few overs there has been/was no run.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Between 'In the last few overs" and "for the last few overs", which one should I use? Besides that, which tense should I use here?


- I have been watching these test matches for quite a long time. But for the last few years there has been no run.

Or: there have been no runs.

Or: there hasn't been a run.

Or: there haven't been any runs.

 

[jutfrank]

Use in. You'd use for if you were talking about the last few overs as a time duration, which you're not—you're talking about the number of balls.

Let me make that a bit clearer with two contrasting examples:

He's taken two wickets in the last three overs. [3 overs = 18 balls]
She's been talking on the phone for the last three overs. [3 overs = 30 minutes]

Can you see the difference?

 

[Rover_KE]

Sorry, Charlie, that's not correct for a cricket match. An over is a series of six deliveries, after which the bowling switches to the other end.

I have been watching this test match for quite a long time, and in the last few overs there has been no run/no runs have been scored.

 

[jutfrank]

... in the last few overs, there have been no runs.

 

[Tarheel]

I think Charlie and I would need to have cricket explained to us.

 

[Tdol]

Have you got a couple of hours?

 

[Tdol]

You could bring on a bowler or a nightwatchman for the last few overs.

 

[GoesStation]

I think Charlie and I would need to have cricket explained to us.

It's a game played with balls, flat bats, brilliant white outfits, tea, and top hats. That's really all you need to know.

 

[jutfrank]

You also get a nice lunch halfway through. Moustaches are optional.

Another plus: When 'fielding', play can be so inactive that you can have time to light up a pipe while you wait.