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Hotmale Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Bothers or bothered?

Hello,

I'm not sure which verb form I should use: bothers or bothered. Can you, please, look at the dialogue, and tell me if I am right?

- Turn it down, please. I can't work!
- Sorry, I didn't know it bothered you.

Thank you
  

Top answer

Sorry, I didn't know it was bothering you.

  • Sorry, I didn't know it was bothering you.
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6 Answers
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Sorry, I didn't know it was bothering you.
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Thank you. Is "bothered" very wrong?
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It is not the native choice there: the bothering started in the past and continued.
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Thank you, I've got one more question: Why can't we use present perfect continuous then, if it started in the past and continued?
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The dependent verb regresses with the main verb:

Sorry, I don't know it is bothering you.
Sorry, I didn't know it was bothering you.
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Everything is clear now. Thank you, Mistrer Micawber!

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