How about a fourth choice: (d) earlier. Mieke p.s. So sorry to have had to miss the recent ATEG conference. > >A german taxi-driver, Franz Bussman, recently found a brother who was > >thought to have been killed twenty years _____. > >there are three choices: (a) ago (b) before (c) previously Mieke Koppen Tucker Bishop's University Co-ordinator, Writing Centre Lennoxville, Que. Writing Proficiency Programme Canada J1M 1Z7 819-822-9600, ext.2400 Fax: 819-822-9661 home: 819-823-7273 [log in to unmask]