0
Rambharosey Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Past continuous...

Hi!!

I know the following is wrong:

We were having that car for ten years befor it break down.

The following is correct:

We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.


Can you please tell me what is 'grammatically' wrong with the first sentence.

Thanks,
Bharosey.
  

Top answer

Hi, I know the following is wrong: We were having that car for ten years befor it break down. The following is correct: We had had that car for ten years before it broke down. More common, and also correct, is We had that car for ten years before it broke down.

— Clive

  • Hi, I know the following is wrong: We were having that car for ten years befor it break down.
  • The following is correct: We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
  • More common, and also correct, is We had that car for ten years before it broke down.
  • The Past Perfect is not necessary here because the sequence of events is clear without it.
  • Can you please tell me what is 'grammatically' wrong with the first sentence.
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.

2 Answers
0
Hi,

I know the following is wrong:

We were having that car for ten years befor it break down.

The following is correct:

We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.

More common, and also correct, is We had that car for ten years before it broke down.

The Past Perfect is not necessary here because the sequen
0
0
Hi;

Have, when used with the meaning to possess, is not used in the progressive tenses.
Break is present tense. It is incorrect in a past tense context.
Even in present tense, the subject does not agree with the verb.
0

Related Questions