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correct ones?

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:03 pm
by Tukanja
Which of these are the correct sentences?

I had taken those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects.
I had been taking those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects.
I took those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects.
I was taking those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects.
I used to take those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects.

Thanks

Re: correct ones?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:04 am
by Joe
They are all possible in different contexts.

I had taken those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects. :ok:

I had been taking those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects. :ok:

I took those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects. :ok:

I was taking those medicines for two and a half years until I experienced side effects. :ok:

I used to take those medicines until I experienced side effects. :ok:

But note, do you mean "until" or "before"?

I took those medicines for two and a half years before I experienced side effects. :ok:

"Until" suggests that you stopped when you experienced side effects.

Re: correct ones?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 7:02 am
by Tukanja
Actually there is something in the sentences #3 and #4 that bothers me.

In our sentence we have the past and the deep past.
How could the simple past and the past continuous be used then?

Please explain why the simple past and the past continuous can be used.

In addition I'd like to say that I prefer #2.

Thanks