had/had been/was

[Anonymous]

Dear sir,

Could you please advise how to use had/had been/was to discribe the past action.

Eg. I was in Taipei or I had in taipei or I had been in Taipei last year?

Thanks!

 

[whl626]

" I was in Taipei last year. " is not difficult to understand

" I had in Taipei last year " is wrong sentence.

" I had been in Taipei last year " is an incomplete sentence unless you say more things in front or at the back of this sentence.

eg While you were in the US, I had been in Taipei last year.

' had been ' refers to a period of time there.

 

[Tdol]

eg While you were in the US, I had been in Taipei last year.

I'm not too happy with this sentence because the two events were at the same time. ;-)

I'd say:
eg While you were in the US, I was in Taipei last year.

 

[whl626]

On second thought, it sure isn't a good example

How about " I had been in Taipei all along before I came to realise that London is more suitable a place for me " ?