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Mother bargained with the stallholder at the market as this was the first time she was buying / had been buying / had bought fish from him.

Which version should be used here?
 
Posts: 7527 | Registered: April 06, 2006Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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I would use was buying. This was the action that was in progress at the time she bargained with the fishmonger, so the past progressive is the appropriate time to use.

Richard
 
Posts: 10326 | Registered: November 04, 2006Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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Thank you, Richard.
 
Posts: 7527 | Registered: April 06, 2006Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post

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