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Stenka25 Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary

A question regarding WITH phrase

A question regarding WITH phrase

The passage comes from a book, The 48 Laws of Power.

In 1492 the Spanish finally expelled the Moorish invaders who centuries earlier had seized parts of the country. With the wartime burden on her treasury lifted, Isabella felt she could finally respond to the demands of her explorer friend, and she decided to pay for three ships, equipment, the salaries of the crews, and a modest stipend for Columbus.

I think he underlined part could be parsed as follows:
Since the wartime burden on her treasury was lifted...

Am I right?

Then, it seems to be better that the 'was' be replace by 'had been'.

Now, here is my conclusion.
Based on my sense of English grammar, both 'was' and 'had been' seem possible in English.
But 'had been' might a bit more frequent that 'was'.

Can you check up my line of thought?

(If you don't think my idea is proper, could you give me the reason for that?)

Regards.
  

Top answer

Am I right? Yes, you are. Stenka25 Then, it seems to be better that the 'was' be replace by 'had been'.

  • Am I right?
  • Yes, you are.
  • Stenka25 Then, it seems to be better that the 'was' be replace by 'had been'.
  • No need; the order of past events is clear without past perfect.
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2 Answers
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Stenka25 think he underlined part could be parsed as follows:Since the wartime burden on her treasury was lifted...Am I right?
Yes, you are.
Stenka25Then, it seems to be better that the 'was' be replace by 'had been'.
No need; the order of past events is clear without past perfect.
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Thanks a lot as always, MM.
(It's a gargantuan task to be at home in matters of English tense^^;)

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