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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

has been based

0 British troops 01b00had02b00 been based in Basra city since the 05000 war began in 2003. The country handed over security control to Iraqis late last year, but 01b00still maintains02b00 a presence in Basra province. 02br
02br
00Shouldn't it be "has' instead of 'had' since the troops are still stationed in Basra?Thanks.0230hrefhttp://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/iraq_warcIraq
  

Top answer

0Hi,02br 02br 01font 00British troops 01b 00had02b 00 been based in Basra city since the 02font 01a 01font 00Iraq02font 02a 01font 00 war began in 2003. The country handed over security control to Iraqis late last year, but 01b 00still maintains02b 00 a presence in Basra province. 02font 02br 02br 00The past perfect places the fact before some time in the past.

— Clive

  • 0Hi,02br 02br 01font 00British troops 01b 00had02b 00 been based in Basra city since the 02font 01a 01font 00Iraq02font 02a 01font 00 war began in 2003.
  • The country handed over security control to Iraqis late last year, but 01b 00still maintains02b 00 a presence in Basra province.
  • 02font 02br 02br 00The past perfect places the fact before some time in the past.
  • That time may be the time that 'the country handed over .
  • 02br 02br 00You could use the present perfect, but that changes the meaning by relating the the fact to the present time.
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4 Answers
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0Hi,02br
02br
01font00British troops 01b00had02b00 been based in Basra city since the 02font01a01font00Iraq02font02a01font00 war began in 2003. The country handed over security co
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0"Mid-afternoon I sat in a 05000 street cafe and had a cup of tea with General Mohammed Juwad Huwaidi, commander of the Iraqi forces in Basra. All around us were the signs of a city returning to normality -- shop keepers working away, women walking around wearing head scarves and children playing on their bikes."02br
02br
00Maj. Tom Holloway, the British military spoke
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0Hi,02br
02br
00Well, have British troops been based in Basra during the period from Browne's discussion to the present time? Or were they just there in the period prior to Browne's discussion?02br
02br
00Best wishes, Clive0-
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0I think I get it now. Thanks, Clive.0-
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