Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[musicgold]

Hi all

What is appropriate in following sentence? Ceased or Ceases .

' In Jan 2003, MDC and Royal agreed not to compete with each other in their existing businesses UNTIL five years after MDC ceased/ cease to own 25% shares of Royal. '

Also please explain.

Thanks,

MG

[Mister Micawber]

.
If MDC no longer holds 25% of the Royal shares, you must used ceased; if at the time of writing MDC still holds them, then either ceased or ceases may be used.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[musicgold]

Mister Micawber,

Thanks a lot.

By the way, I also enjoy diagramming sentences. In fact, this method, really helped me understanding the English grammar.