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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009Having been driving
The driver denied _________ under the influence when he was caught. a. having been driving b. having driven c. driving Are a-c all correct? Also, how about: d) When stopped by the police, the driver denied having been driving under the influence when he had been caught by the radar. e) When stopped by the police, the driver denied having been driving under the influence when he was caught by the radar. Thanks. > The driver denied _________ under the influence when he was caught. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Are a-c all correct? Without the clause "when he was caught" the main-verb phrases would have different meanings, but the subordinate clasue turns them into (successively less formal) versions of the same proposition. > Also, how about: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > e) When stopped by the police, the driver denied having been driving under > the influence when he was caught by the radar. (d) follows the logical sequence-of-tenses rulrs that would operate in French or Latin but sounds a bit fussy in English; (e) would be more idiomatic. Peter Groves > Thanks. >> The driver denied _________ under the influence when he was caught. >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > French or Latin but sounds a bit fussy in English; (e) would be more > idiomatic. a) is awkward as hell. b) implies denying being under the influence at some time prior to being caught. c) sounds like what is wanted. d) is awkward as hell, twice over. e) is a bit too wordy. It would've worked better without the word "driving". I would go with either, "When stopped by the police, the driver denied being under the influence when he was caught by the radar." or, "When stopped by the police, the driver denied that he was driving under the influence when he was caught by the radar."  SignatureLew Jerry S. asks about: >>> The driver denied _________ under the influence when he was caught. >>> >>> a. having been driving >>> b. having driven >>> c. driving > a) is awkward as hell. I think it's best. It's certainly the most precise. SignatureMark Brader, Toronto | "Where is down special?" ... "Good." msb@vex.net | "Do you refuse to answer my question?" "Don't know." >>The driver denied _________ under the influence when he was caught. >> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > different meanings, but the subordinate clasue turns them into (successively > less formal) versions of the same proposition. Would you say that "having" makes the action of "driving" to be perfective in (a) and (b), i.e. extended up to **and including** the time of being caught? Thank you all. |
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