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Angliholic Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

because the driver was not being careful

The car accident occurred because the driver was not being careful.

The car accident occurred because the driver was not careful.

I presume both of the above sound as right, but are there subtle nuances between them? Thanks.
  

Top answer

I'd prefer: The car accident occurred because the driver hadn't been careful.

— Marius Hancu

  • I'd prefer: The car accident occurred because the driver hadn't been careful.
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4 Answers
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I'd prefer:

The car accident occurred because the driver hadn't been careful.
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Marius HancuI'd prefer:

The car accident occurred because the driver hadn't been careful.

Thanks, Marius.

You suggestion makes perfect sense to me, but I'd like to know the semantic difference between the two sentences in question.
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The car accident occurred because the driver was not being careful (at the very moment of the accident)


The car accident occurred because the driver was not careful (those days, in general).
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Marius HancuThe car accident occurred because the driver was not being careful (at the very moment of the accident)

The car accident occurred because the driver was not careful (those days, in general).

Thanks, Marius.

Got it.
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