Inclusive period.

Without extended context, the reader can surmise from the sentence that Shelly lived in London during at least part of the year between January 1 and December 31, 1974. 'Had been living' could suggest that she did not live there all the while since then, or ever again. She could have lived in Zurich from 1975 to 1990, then moved back, for example, or she could have moved out of London in April

AnonymousDoes the sentence express that Shelly lived in London for a period including 1974? Or does 1974 mark the culmination of the London period?

Shelly had been living in London in 1974.

For me, it excludes 1974.

Please explain, Anonymous, how 'had been living in London in 1974' means 'had not been living in London in 1974'.

DavkettPlease explain, Anonymous, how 'had been living in London in 1974' means 'had not been living in London in 1974'.

Sure. By the time 1974 came around she had been living in London, got married, and had kids. She left London on December 31st at 11:57 pm and never returned.

I'm sorry, Anonymous. For the sentence to have that interpretation it would have to be written, 'Shelly had been living in London until 1974", (or, 'prior to 1974'). 'Had been living in London in 1974' means that she used to live there in that year. The sentence, as written, does not tell us anything about where she lived before or after 1974.

DavkettI'm sorry, Anonymous. For the sentence to have that interpretation it would have to be written, 'Shelly had been living in London until 1974", (or, 'prior to 1974'). 'Had been living in London in 1974' means that she used to live there in that year. The sentence, as written, does not tell us anything about where she lived before or after 1974.

Even with a comma, I find it difficult to register "excl. 1974":

1. Shelly had been living in London, in 1974.

And here, the sense seems to break up – the progressive seems to require a "for" clause:

2. In 1974, Shelly had been living in London.

MrP

She had been living in London in 1974.

=

There is at least some period of time within the year January 1, 1974 through December 31, 1974 during which she lived in London.

"including", not "culmination"

CJ

I saw the original as "in 1974, the state of affairs was that Shelly had been living in London, but was now (1974) elsewhere.

Written another way, it would look like this:

"In 1974, when I met her, Shelly had been living in London, but was forced to leave it due to financial problems."

I saw 1974 as excluded from the time she had lived in London - or at least the culmin

Maybe if you add "already" somewhere? I met Shelly in 1974, she had already lived (been living?) in London, but had been/was (?) forced to leave..." ????