Nice question with a gotcha...

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Nice question with a gotcha...

by cramya » Mon May 11, 2009 6:28 pm
Before the storm destroyed much of the harbor, this town, with its sandy beaches and multiple opportunities for sports, had been one of the most popular resort destinations on the East Coast.

had been
has been
had been being
was being
was

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by rseeker2 » Mon May 11, 2009 7:16 pm
Definitely between A and E ?

Before x happened, a had been something
Before x happened, a was something

I don't think a past participle is needed here. Would choose E.

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by cramya » Mon May 11, 2009 7:47 pm
Well put, Rseeker.

"Before" signfies the order of the events so past perfect tense is not needed to denote earlier of two past actions. Simple past is SUFF

OA : E