"had been" or "have been"
Hello,
I'm confused about which is the correct tense to use in this example:
"Before now, network providers had/have been able to make switching a needlessly complex process. "
Providers can no longer make the process of switching complex, so is it correct to use "had been" or "have been"? I instinctively wrote "have been", but doesn't that suggest that they still can make it complex? Does the use of "Before now" change anything?
Thank you.
Top answer
JJDouglas Before now, network providers had/have been able to make switching a needlessly complex process. It's hard to deal with this sentence because it says that network providers have achieved a great success by doing something that is inferior in quality. It's like saying "By trying very hard, I succeeded in writing an essay that was full of errors".
- JJDouglas Before now, network providers had/have been able to make switching a needlessly complex process.
- It's hard to deal with this sentence because it says that network providers have achieved a great success by doing something that is inferior in quality.
- It's like saying "By trying very hard, I succeeded in writing an essay that was full of errors".
- Are you sure that's what you intended to say?
- CJ
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JJDouglasBefore now, network providers had/have been able to make switching a needlessly complex process.
It's hard to deal with this sentence because it says that network providers have achieved a great success by doing something that is inferior in quality.
It's like saying "By trying very hard, I succeeded in writing an essay that was full of error
0
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