| No | Pattern | Freq | Relations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [vb past] been [verb] for [adj] years | 85 |
|
| 2 | had be [verb] for [adj] years | 80 |
|
| 3 | [vb past] be [verb] for [num] years | 48 |
|
| 4 | [vb past] be [v-ing] for [adj] years | 47 |
|
| 5 | [vb past] be [verb] for [det] years | 38 |
|
| 6 | [vb past] be [vb pp] for [adj] years | 38 |
|
| 7 | [vb past] be [verb] for many years | 18 |
|
| 8 | [vb past] be [verb] for many years | 18 |
|
| 9 | [vb past] be [verb] for some years | 11 |
|
| 10 | [vb past] be [verb] for some years | 11 |
|
| 11 | [vb past] be [verb] for several years | 9 |
|
| 12 | [vb past] be [verb] for several years | 9 |
|
| 13 | [vb past] be [verb] for two years | 7 |
|
| 14 | [vb past] be [verb] for two years | 7 |
|
| 15 | [vb past] be [verb] for thirty years | 5 |
|
| 16 | [vb past] be [verb] for seven years | 5 |
|
| 17 | [vb past] be [verb] for seven years | 5 |
|
| 18 | 'd be [verb] for [adj] years | 5 |
|
| 19 | [vb past] be [verb] for thirty years | 5 |
|
