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PreciousJones Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Cats

I stayed at my friend's place for a couple days and realized that I was allergic to her cat. I started coughing and sneezing everywhere, so then I decided to move into a hotel.

(present time) I call my friends a couple days later and I say:

It's okay because I haven't been in close contact with cats before. Or

It's okay because I hadn't been in close contact with cats before.

Is the past perfect the only possible answer here?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

I find both forms acceptable and more-or-less interchangeable. " So it's more accurate to use the past perfect. To be honest though, the present perfect sounds slightly more natural to me, and it's probably the form that I would use without thinking.

— DMW

  • I find both forms acceptable and more-or-less interchangeable.
  • " So it's more accurate to use the past perfect.
  • To be honest though, the present perfect sounds slightly more natural to me, and it's probably the form that I would use without thinking.
  • I don't think any native speaker of English would really notice which of the two you use.
  • This particular distinction just isn't a big deal.
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5 Answers
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I find both forms acceptable and more-or-less interchangeable.

Strictly speaking, the present perfect would mean "I didn't come in contact with cats before the present moment," but the past perfect would mean "I didn't come in contact with cats before I met your cat and started coughing and sneezing." So it's more accurate to use the past perfect.

To be honest though, the pr
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DMWI find both forms acceptable and more-or-less interchangeable. Strictly speaking, the present perfect would mean "I didn't come in contact with cats before the present moment," but the past perfect would mean "I didn't come in contact with cats before I met your cat and started coughing and sneezing." So it's more accurate to use the past perfect. To be honest though,
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I'd use past perfect there.
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PreciousJonesIt's okay because I haven't been in close contact with cats before.
You have, though, so this is a false statement. Use the past perfect.
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I seem to be outvoted here. Although I would almost certainly use the present perfect, I do admit that the past perfect is somehow more correct. I stand by my assertion that the difference is not terribly important.
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