[Grammar] was working as a chef for a year

[Oceanlike]

I do not know if there are any differences in writing the following sentences. I use different tenses. If there are differences between the two sentences, I don't know what they are.

1. He was working as a chef for a year before he decided to change job.

2. He had been working as a chef for a year before he decided to change job.

Thank you. :-D

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I do not know if there are any differences in writing the following sentences. I use different tenses. If there are differences between the two sentences, I don't know what they are.

1. He was working as a chef for a year before he decided to change jobs. ​(or "change his job.")

2. He had been working as a chef for a year before he decided to change job​s. ​(or "change his job.")

Thank you. :-D

Both are fine in conversation, and they mean the same thing. But one is better English. Can you tell which one?

 

[Oceanlike]

Hmmm....I cannot tell which is better English! :roll:

If I were to write in an English examination, which one is better?

Thank you!

 

[Tarheel]

I would use simple past, thus:

He worked as a chef for a year before he decided to change jobs.

(Did he change jobs or change careers?)

 

[Oceanlike]

I don't understand. I thought it is necessary to use the perfect tense since there are two verbs.

For example, 'He had worked as a chef for a year before he decided to change jobs/careers.'

I don't understand the difference.

Thank you.

 

[Oceanlike]

But one is better English. Can you tell which one?

Which is better and why?

Thank you.

 

[Tarheel]

I don't understand. I thought it is necessary to use the perfect tense since there are two verbs.

For example, 'He had worked as a chef for a year before he decided to change jobs/careers.'

I don't understand the difference.

Thank you.

I never heard of that "rule" before.

Perhaps:

He worked as a chef for a year before he decided to change careers.

Or:

After working as a chef for a year, he decided to change careers.