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Seagull Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

not until last year

(a) Paul didn't go abroad until last year.
(b) Paul hadn't been abroad until last year.

Are both (a) and (b) okay when we want to say, "Paul made a trip to a foreign country last year, and that was his first time abroad"?
  

Top answer

seagull Are both (a) and (b) okay when we want to say ... Yes, but (b) is closer to the meaning you want. (a) doesn't imply so strongly that this was the first time, so (a) would require more context to be sure you get the desired meaning across to the reader (listener).

  • seagull Are both (a) and (b) okay when we want to say ...
  • Yes, but (b) is closer to the meaning you want.
  • (a) doesn't imply so strongly that this was the first time, so (a) would require more context to be sure you get the desired meaning across to the reader (listener).
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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seagullAre both (a) and (b) okay when we want to say ...
Yes, but (b) is closer to the meaning you want.

(a) doesn't imply so strongly that this was the first time, so (a) would require more context to be sure you get the desired meaning across to the reader (listener).

CJ
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I understand.
Thank you very much indeed, CalifJim.

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