Since a very long time (ago).

[Ashraful Haque]

I know 'since' is used when talking about a specific time in the past. For example, since 1996, since yesterday, etc. And we use 'for' when talking about a period of time. Even though 'since a very long time' is incorrect, as far as I understand adding 'ago' at the end should make the sentence correct.

I actually said it when someone asked me how long have I been going to the gym. When answering the question for some reason I wasn't able to recall in which year I first started going to the gym. I started with 'since....' but like I said, I couldn't remember which year. So I went something like:
"SInce......a very long time ago."

 

[emsr2d2]

I know 'since' is used when talking about a specific time in the past. For example, "since 1996", "since yesterday", etc, and we use 'for' when talking about a period of time. Even though 'since a very long time' is incorrect, as far as I understand it, adding 'ago' at the end should make the sentence correct.

I actually said it when someone asked me how long have I have been going to the gym. When answering the question, for some reason I wasn't able to recall in which year I first started going to the gym. I started with 'since....' but, like as I said, I couldn't remember which year no full stop here so I went said something like:
"Since ... a very long time ago."

In your context, it's OK to say that.

Note my corrections above.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

In your context, it's OK to say that.

Note my corrections above.

Thank you for the corrections.
Just to be sure. Is there any context where saying "since a long time" (without 'ago') would be correct?

 

[jutfrank]

No.