As long as I've lived here, there hasn't been a single crime.
Does that necessarily imply that I've lived here for a long time?
Could it be used if I've moved 'here' two days ago, or two weeks ago?
Many thanks
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7It only means: During the time that I've lived here, there hasn't been a single crime. Of course, it would be odd to say that if you've lived there for only days, unless the area is noted for a very high crime rate.Michael Harvey– Michael Harvey2026-05-21 13:19:34 +00:00Commented 2 days ago
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3Even in that case it would be odd.Barmar– Barmar2026-05-21 15:24:58 +00:00Commented 2 days ago
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4In fact if you moved in two days ago you might use that construction to sarcastically draw attention to a high crime rate.nasch– nasch2026-05-21 18:37:47 +00:00Commented 2 days ago
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3 Answers
No time is explicitly stated, but if you said this in all seriousness and sincerity, it certainly implies that you have been there a "significant" amount of time - long enough to make the statement mean something. But that could be relative. Where is "here", exactly? If you were referring to a whole city, 2 weeks would be a long time to go without a crime, but if you were referring to just the street where you live, hopefully, crime isn't that frequent.
I'm a data analyst, and I wouldn't dream of using data from a short period of time to make an assertion about the frequency or chance of something. Statistical process control requires at least 16 data points. So, if I wanted to say that crime rates were rising or falling, I'd need data from at least 16 months, or perhaps 16 years, if that was the interval at which it was measured.
It suggests that you've lived here long enough for your experience to be meaningful. Otherwise, there's little point in emphasizing the length of time you've lived here.
How long is "long enough" depends on the specific claim being made. This is an issue of common sense, not language.
Truly, the answer depends on context - on the intent of the speaker.
Normally, "as long as I've lived here" does, as others have mentioned, carry the implication that "I've lived here" for a significant amount of time. I picture an older woman - 60s, probably, a grandmotherly-type - worrying about reports of increased crime in nearby neighborhoods (or streets, etc.).
However: the phrase can easily be used humorously or ironically. If I've only lived here for a day or two, I can still use the phrase perfectly well, just with a bit of an ironic twist to it. One can imagine, for instance, a scenario in which someone has just moved into the Pacific Northwest (known for being rainy and overcast) on one of the relatively rare bright, sunny days: boxes still being carried in, the new resident strikes up a conversation with their new neighbor who comments that it looks like they might get rain that evening; our new resident could respond - probably with a chuckle - "I don't know: as long as I've lived here, it's been nothing but clear skies.".
