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Nina_Nia Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Was born/had been born

Hello,

Could you tell me why' 'had been born' is used here in this sentence instead of 'was born'? I always thought that only 'was born' is correct.

Fausto Ruiz got off the boat at the port of the city where he had been born fifty years ago, and to which he had not returned for twenty years.

Thanks
  

Top answer

Hello, I've never heard "had been born" before as well,but according to your setence,I think because it talks about actions in the past,there was maybe a necessity to use what had happened before that time.. He had been born in that city;he hadn't returned there for twenty years,then there came a time when Fausto Ruiz got off the boat at the port of that city. I guess it's because of narration,the past perfect is used with "born".

— Everlastinghope

  • Hello, I've never heard "had been born" before as well,but according to your setence,I think because it talks about actions in the past,there was maybe a necessity to use what had happened before that time..
  • He had been born in that city;he hadn't returned there for twenty years,then there came a time when Fausto Ruiz got off the boat at the port of that city.
  • I guess it's because of narration,the past perfect is used with "born".
  • Other answers would be better.
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2 Answers
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Hello,
I've never heard "had been born" before as well,but according to your setence,I think because it talks about actions in the past,there was maybe a necessity to use what had happened before that time..
He had been born in that city;he hadn't returned there for twenty years,then there came a time when Fausto Ruiz got off the boat at the port of that city.
I g
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Exactly what i am searching but still i don't know why they use had been.

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