It's been

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maverick88

#82219 Fri, 18 Mar 05 08:18 PM

1) It has been since this document was written
2) It has been since this document had been written

I have an arguement with my friend which one is correct.
I think both are possible and it depends on the context.
What do you think?

maverick88

Joined on Mon, Nov 22 2004

Israel

Regular Member (695)

An English learner

khoff

#82223 Fri, 18 Mar 05 09:50 PM

What has been? Or it has been . . . what? Can you give us a little more context, please??

khoff

Joined on Sun, Mar 6 2005

Denver, Colorado, USA, Earth

Senior Member (2,569)

Native speaker of American English (but not a grammar expert)

MrPedantic

#82258 Sat, 19 Mar 05 12:53 AM

I too am struggling for context.

Maybe:

{Two very humble clerks in a C19 legal practice have been studying a particularly convoluted draft contract for months. Suddenly one looks up, and notices snow outside:}

'Hey! Whatever happened to summer?'
'It has been and gone, since this document was written.'

But I can't find a meaning for #2. Maybe someone else can...

MrP

MrPedantic

Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004

Veteran Member (12,053)

...opella forensis / adducit febris...

maverick88

#82269 Sat, 19 Mar 05 02:17 AM

Yeah I think (1) past simple is better here. The context is very vague...

For 2: if we have 2 actions and we are taling about the one which happened first, won't it be 'had been'?

maverick88

Past simple

CalifJim

#82272 Sat, 19 Mar 05 02:45 AM

It has BEEN! You know, when it has to GO.

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,967)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

nona the brit

#82309 Sat, 19 Mar 05 10:12 AM

I'm on the verge of one - possibly. how about if we make the meaning of the word 'since' as/because instead of a reference to a time frame.

It has been, since this document had been written for professional clowns, suggested that we write another version for architects!

Although 'was' would be better than 'had been' but I think there could be a use in this way, I just can't quite find it!

nona the brit

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004

England

Veteran Member (11,353)

The name says it all.