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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

past perfect

Hello

Is it possible to write that

Sorry it took so long to answer ,I had been very busy.
i would like to mean: I was busy until I found the time to get back to you
Or is it better to write
Sorry it took so long to answer, I was busy.

Thanks
  

Top answer

Either of these is fine. I prefer the second. Sorry it took so long to answer.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Either of these is fine.
  • I prefer the second.
  • Sorry it took so long to answer.
  • I was busy.
  • Sorry it took so long to answer.
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6 Answers
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Either of these is fine. I prefer the second.
Sorry it took so long to answer. I was busy.
Sorry it took so long to answer. I have been very busy.
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Sorry it took so long to answer. I've been very busy.

Connecting sentences with commas is considered a mistake. It even has a name: comma splice.

CJ
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thank you

So it is possible to write that;
Sorry it took so long to answer. I"ve been very busy
Took is connected with the past and have been with the present.
It means that even though I have been very busy and still am busy, I did find the time to answer to you.

Could you let me know why is it impossible to write that;
Sorry it took so long to answer. I'd been
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AnonymousSorry it took so long to answer.
When you use the past here, it actually is referring to the moment in time that you are writing the note. By the time the recipient reads it, it is past time. So it is present time for you (the writer), and past time for the reader.
Since it is the present time for the writer, it is very natural to use the present
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Very clear now!
So which sentence is the most common ?
Sorry it took so long to answer.I have been busy lately.
Sorry it has taken so long to answer.I have been busy lately.

Many thanks
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AnonymousSo which sentence is the most common ?
It's about 50-50. Most people use #1 because there are fewer characters to type.
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