0
Amir Oghlow Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Had gone

"He told me that the grief over losing the other lover had been gone for more than two years."Why don't they say "... had gone..."?
  

Top answer

It's a matter of combining it with "for more than two years". had been (in the state of being) gone (= away) (for a period of time) — makes sense . had gone (= left = went away) ( for a period of time ) — doesn't make sense because it's a single act that can't last for more than a few seconds.

— CalifJim

  • It's a matter of combining it with "for more than two years".
  • had been (in the state of being) gone (= away) (for a period of time) — makes sense .
  • had gone (= left = went away) ( for a period of time ) — doesn't make sense because it's a single act that can't last for more than a few seconds.
  • It's like saying, "I picked a beautiful flower for two years".
  • CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
It's a matter of combining it with "for more than two years".

... had been (in the state of being) gone (= away) (for a period of time)— makes sense

... had gone (= left = went away) (for a period of time)— doesn't make sense because it's a single act that can't last for more than a few seconds. It's like saying, "I picked a beautiful flower for two years".
0
0
It doesn't make much sense to say "I had gone for a period of time."
I have to say "I had been gone for a period of time."
Am I right?

Okay,
What about this?
I had gone to Canada when I was young.
Is it right?
0
0
Amir OghlowIt doesn't make much sense to say "I had gone for a period of time."I have to say "I had been gone for a period of time."
Right.
Amir OghlowI had gone to Canada when I was young.
OK. Or just I went to Canada when I was young.

CJ
0

Related Questions