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Lawn2llawn2 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Past perfect or past continuous

Hi, I have a question here about which one to use. I came accross these lines from a grammar book.

As the railway network spreaded accross Britain, Cook's excursions became more ambitious. By the mid 1840s, he was conducting tours to Scotland, Liverpool, Newcastle and London. By 1855 Cook had organised tours for almost fiffteen years and felt that he had enough experience to start venturing overseas.

I am confused with the sentence I underlined. Shouldn't "by mid 1840s" be followed by past perfect, just like the second "by"?

Thanks a lot

Liya
  

Top answer

As the railway network spread across Britain, Cook's excursions became more ambitious. By the mid 1840s, he was conducting tours to Scotland, Liverpool, Newcastle and London. By 1855 Cook had organised tours for almost fifteen years and felt that he had enough experience to start venturing overseas.

— Mister Micawber

  • As the railway network spread across Britain, Cook's excursions became more ambitious.
  • By the mid 1840s, he was conducting tours to Scotland, Liverpool, Newcastle and London.
  • By 1855 Cook had organised tours for almost fifteen years and felt that he had enough experience to start venturing overseas.
  • I am confused with the sentence I underlined.
  • -- No.
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3 Answers
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As the railway network spread across Britain, Cook's excursions became more ambitious. By the mid 1840s, he was conducting tours to Scotland, Liverpool, Newcastle and London. By 1855 Cook had organised tours for almost fifteen years and felt that he had enough experience to start venturing overseas.

I am confused with the sentence I underlined. Shouldn't "by mid 1840s
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So, what does "by" in "by mid 1840s" mean? Is it possible to use past tense? Or, can I say "In the mid 1840s, he was conducting......."

Thanks

Liya
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So, what does "by" in "by mid 1840s" mean?-- In 1843-47.
Is it possible to use past tense?-- Not simple past, no.
Or, can I say "In the mid 1840s, he was conducting......."- Yes.
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