ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: has been based

New2grammar — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:48:54 GMT

I think I get it now. Thanks, Clive.

Re: has been based

Clive — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:36:41 GMT

Hi,

Well, have British troops been based in Basra during the period from Browne's discussion to the present time? Or were they just there in the period prior to Browne's discussion?

Best wishes, Clive

Re: has been based

New2grammar — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:43:27 GMT

"Mid-afternoon I sat in a Basra street cafe and had a cup of tea with General Mohammed Juwad Huwaidi, commander of the Iraqi forces in Basra. All around us were the signs of a city returning to normality -- shop keepers working away, women walking around wearing head scarves and children playing on their bikes."

Maj. Tom Holloway, the British military spokesman, told CNN on Friday that Browne discussed security plans with British commanders and met with local Iraqi military officials during the three-hour visit.

British troops had been based in Basra city since the Iraq war began in 2003. The country handed over security control to Iraqis late last year, but still maintains a presence in Basra province.

Thanks, Clive. It's my mistake to suggest the singular present perfect. In this context, I feel though the change cause the meaning to change by relating to thhe present time, it doesn't change the results or cause any disconnection from the previous or following idea. Am I right to say that in this context?

Re: has been based

Clive — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:36:25 GMT

Hi,

British troops had been based in Basra city since the Iraq war began in 2003. The country handed over security control to Iraqis late last year, but still maintains a presence in Basra province.

Shouldn't it be "has' instead of 'had' since the troops are still stationed in Basra?

The past perfect places the fact before some time in the past. That time may be the time that 'the country handed over . . ', or it might be some other time mentioned earlier in the context that we do not have here.

You could use the present perfect, but that changes the meaning by relating the the fact to the present time. if you choose to do this, say 'have' and not 'has' because the word 'troops' is plural.

Best wishes, Clive

has been based

New2grammar — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:28:39 GMT

Shouldn't it be "has' instead of 'had' since the troops are still stationed in Basra?Thanks.