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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Grammar question
When writing in past tense, should it be
He initially wanted to go, but then decided not to
or
He had initially wanted to go, but then decided not to
He initially wanted to go, but then decided not to
or
He had initially wanted to go, but then decided not to
Top answer
Either one is fine. The first is simple past tense, the second is past perfect tense.
- Either one is fine.
- The first is simple past tense, the second is past perfect tense.
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2 Answers
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Either one is fine. The first is simple past tense, the second is past perfect tense.
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AnonymousHe had initially wanted to go, but then decided not toWhen telling the story in the order it occurred and using coordinating conjunctions like and, or, and but, the use of the past perfect is not necessary, and may even be considered too heavy stylistically. I would use only wanted here, not had wanted.
CJ
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