he was unemployed for two years

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Minhuoc

#260127 Mon, 28 Aug 06 11:31 AM

Hi,

Which tense would you use here? The past or the past perfect? I think the second is the best choice.

1."After Jack lost his job, he was unemployed for two years."

2."After Jack had lost his job, he was unemployed for two years."

Thanks

Joined on Tue, Oct 18 2005

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Mister Micawber

#260135 Mon, 28 Aug 06 11:45 AM

I would choose the first. After makes the sequence of events clear.

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

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'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Minhuoc

#260154 Mon, 28 Aug 06 12:13 PM

Hi,

If you chose the first, could I change "After" into "When"

"When Jack lost his job, he was unemployed for two years."

Thanks.

Mister Micawber

#260156 Mon, 28 Aug 06 12:25 PM

I suppose so, but it is less clear to me what is going on.

Marius Hancu

#260162 Mon, 28 Aug 06 12:43 PM

Both correct.
1 is 2 after tense simplification
(past perfect - > simple perfect, in the subordinate, see Swan)
1 is probably more frequent nowadays.

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

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