Check my tenses

Question

Please could you dissect every sentence in this passage, telling me to which tense each sentence belongs. Thank you.

Clara spoke to Jane, but would have spoken to Paul, had it not been for the untimely manner with which she arrived at the restaurant. Jane, while speaking to Clara, peruses through Paul's paraphernalia, paying particular attention to a love letter he wrote in which he laments his love for her. Clara, having been told by Jane of the feelings she has for Paul, takes her glass of wine and pours it over her, and on doing so, she bursts into tears. Clara leaves the restaurant, while Jane holds a handkerchief to her face, blotting her tears. Had Paul himself been at the restaurant, I am sure he would have intervened before Clara had the chance to pour her wine over Jane, as he is a commanding character.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

First, dissect it yourself, next, ask the forum to check your "dissection".

Anonymous · Answer

Clara spoke to Jane (simple Past) but would have spoken to Paul (Conditional Simple V2) had it not been (modal perfect) for her untimely arrival at the restaurant. (Conditional perfect) Jane, while speaking to Clara (present progressive), peruses through Paul's paraphernalia (simple present) paying particular attention to a love letter he wrote in which he lamented his love for her. (simple past) Clara, having been told by Jane of the feelings she has for Paul, (perfect perfect progressive) takes her glass of wine and pours it over her and immediately after, bursts into tears. (simple present) Clara leaves the restaurant (simple present) while Jane holds a handkerchief to her face (simple present), blotting her tears. (present progressive) Had Paul himself been at the restaurant Is this incorrect? Should it be: If Paul had been at the restaurant, I am sure he would have intervened (modal perfect) before Clara had the chance to pour her wine over Jane (X) as he is a commanding character. (simple present). Can you find any mistakes in the text I have corrected? Which tense is marked as (x)? "Had Paul himself been at the restaurant".
Is this the same as
"If Paul himself been at the restaurant"
If so, I think it should read as:
"If Paul himself had been at the restaurant"
Your help is greatly appreciated.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Clara spoke to Jane (simple Past) v
but would have spoken to Paul (Conditional Simple V2) X We don't generally speak of condition tenses these days. That would normally be called a modal perfect'
had it not been (modal perfect) X That's a past perfect
for her untimely arrival at the restaurant. (Conditional perfect) XThere is no verb
Jane, while speaking to Clara (present progressive), X That is an -ing form (present participle) following while
peruses through Paul's paraphernalia (simple present) v
paying particular attention to a love letter he wrote in which he lamented his love for her. (simple past) vv
Clara, having been told by Jane of the feelings she has for Paul, (perfect perfect progressive) X The first is a perfect participle construction, the second a present simple.
takes her glass of wine and pours it over her and immediately after, bursts into tears. (simple present) vvv
Clara leaves the restaurant (simple present) v
while Jane holds a handkerchief to her face (simple present), v
blotting her tears. (present progressive) X Another present participle form

Had Paul himself been at the restaurant Is this incorrect? Should it be: If Paul had been at the restaurant, Either is possible
If Paul had been at the restaurant, I am sure he would have intervened (modal perfect) vfor the second); the first is past perfect.
before Clara had the chance to pour her wine over Jane (X) past simple
as he is a commanding character. (simple present). v

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