before and past perfect

Question

Hi1.We had met each other before2. I went to Africa in 1989. I had been there twice before.--- Do I really have to use the past perfect tense in the examples above?I used "before" so maybe the past perfect is not necessary? The examples above are from the grammar book.1. We met each other before.2. I went to Africa in 1989. I was there twice before.What do you think?

Philip · Accepted Answer

I support the use of the past perfect in these sentences.!

Newguest · Answer

So when I use these two:

1. We met each other before.
2. I went to Africa in 1989. I was there twice before.
It's not clear that we met before we saw each other in this restaurant and that I was in Africa before 1989?

I remember that about a year ago I asked a similar question about the past perfect tense.

I think the sentence was: What were you doing in England before you came here. I was wondering whether I should say: What had you been doing in England before you came here OR What were you doing.....

As far as I remember you said that "What were you doing in England before you came here" is better and correct because it's clear from the sentence that he/she was in England before they came here, so there is no need to use the past perfect tense.

What is actually the difference between my past sentence about England and the two sentences above? Why in the sentence with England I didn't have to use the past perfect tense (and it was clear), and in the two above I should use it (because it's not clear even if I use "before")?

before and past perfect

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