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TeacherJapan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

When or Before?

They had been in Paris for ten years before/when their baby was born.
  

Top answer

teacherJapan They had been in Paris for ten years before/when their baby was born. They are both fine. The only difference is "focus".

— CalifJim

  • teacherJapan They had been in Paris for ten years before/when their baby was born.
  • They are both fine.
  • The only difference is "focus".
  • If you use 'before', your focus is on the amount of time they lived there before the birth of the baby.
  • If you use 'when', your focus is on the time when the baby was born (relative to their years in Paris).
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2 Answers
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teacherJapan They had been in Paris for ten years before/when their baby was born.
They are both fine. The only difference is "focus".

If you use 'before', your focus is on the amount of time they lived there before the birth of the baby.
If you use 'when', your focus is on the time when the baby was born (relative to their years in Paris).
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Oh, it's a matter of focus! Thank you very much for helping me with such a clear explanation:)
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