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Lucas21c Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Could you help me?

Could you tell me whether the second sentence of each pair is right or not?

Thanks.

1.

a. The secretary opened the mail, which had been delivered that morning.

b. The secretary opened the mail, which was delivered that morning.

2.

a. Some people claim that words are invented only because a need has been felt for them.

b. Soem people claim that words are invented only because a need is felt for them.
  

Top answer

I prefer 1a. You may well hear native speakers using 1b, however, because people do not always bother to use the past perfect when arguably they strictly should. I prefer 2b.

— Mr Wordy

  • I prefer 1a.
  • You may well hear native speakers using 1b, however, because people do not always bother to use the past perfect when arguably they strictly should.
  • I prefer 2b.
  • I find it natural to imagine a word being invented at the time the need is felt.
  • 2a seems unnecessarily cumbersome.
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1 Answers
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I prefer 1a. You may well hear native speakers using 1b, however, because people do not always bother to use the past perfect when arguably they strictly should.

I prefer 2b. I find it natural to imagine a word being invented at the time the need is felt. 2a seems unnecessarily cumbersome.
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