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Seoul Brother Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Can I ask you somthing?

When it arrived, it was damaged.
When it arrived, it has been damaged.
When it arrived, it had been damaged.

If the above sentences are all grammatically correct, what is the differences of them?

thanks in advance~
  

Top answer

The first is probably saying that it was in a damaged state at the time of its arrival*. The third is saying that someone/something damaged it at a time before that of its arrival. The overall result is of course the same.

— Fivejedjon

  • The first is probably saying that it was in a damaged state at the time of its arrival*.
  • The third is saying that someone/something damaged it at a time before that of its arrival.
  • The overall result is of course the same.
  • The second is not possible.
  • *In s suitable context, the first could mean that someone/something damaged it at the moment of its arrival.
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1 Answers
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The first is probably saying that it was in a damaged state at the time of its arrival*.
The third is saying that someone/something damaged it at a time before that of its arrival.

The overall result is of course the same.

The second is not possible.

*In s suitable context, the first could mean that someone/something damaged it at the moment of its arrival.
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