0
Glathberif Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Habits in the narrative. Preterite? Pluperfect? Used to?
Hi,
English is not my mother tongue. Though, I'm currently trying to write a novel, but I've got a little problem with expressing habits that are no longer true at the moment of the events in the story.
I've got an accurate example so you can understand, because I don't know if I'm really clear :
One of my characters, Sullivan, dies in the beginning of the story. Later, another character, Mercer, is introduced. I want to say that he worked with Sullivan, that they were workers, but they're not anymore. Then, which one of the following sentences is right?
1) He (Mercer) had worked with Sullivan, until he died.
But, wouldn't this sentences mean that Mercer worked with him once or twice rather than every day during several years?
2) He worked with Sullivan, until he died.
Since it's true only before the events, I don't find using this tense judicious.
3) He used to work with Sullivan, until he died.
Still a preterite, which bothers me again.
4) He had used to work with Sullivan, until he died.
Grammatically the best one to me, but I've been told it sounds weird.
Thank you in advance for your help. =)
English is not my mother tongue. Though, I'm currently trying to write a novel, but I've got a little problem with expressing habits that are no longer true at the moment of the events in the story.
I've got an accurate example so you can understand, because I don't know if I'm really clear :
One of my characters, Sullivan, dies in the beginning of the story. Later, another character, Mercer, is introduced. I want to say that he worked with Sullivan, that they were workers, but they're not anymore. Then, which one of the following sentences is right?
1) He (Mercer) had worked with Sullivan, until he died.
But, wouldn't this sentences mean that Mercer worked with him once or twice rather than every day during several years?
2) He worked with Sullivan, until he died.
Since it's true only before the events, I don't find using this tense judicious.
3) He used to work with Sullivan, until he died.
Still a preterite, which bothers me again.
4) He had used to work with Sullivan, until he died.
Grammatically the best one to me, but I've been told it sounds weird.
Thank you in advance for your help. =)
Top answer
Glathberif One of my characters, Sullivan, dies in the beginning of the story. Later, another character, Mercer, is introduced. I want to say that he worked with Sullivan, that they were workers, but they're not anymore.
- Glathberif One of my characters, Sullivan, dies in the beginning of the story.
- Later, another character, Mercer, is introduced.
- I want to say that he worked with Sullivan, that they were workers, but they're not anymore.
- Then, which one of the following sentences is right?
- 1) He (Mercer) had worked with Sullivan, until he died.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
GlathberifOne of my characters, Sullivan, dies in the beginning of the story. Later, another character, Mercer, is introduced. I want to say that he worked with Sullivan, that they were workers, but they're not anymore. Then, which one of the following sentences is right?
1) He (Mercer) had worked with Sullivan, until he died.
But, wouldn't this sentences mean tha
00
Related Questions