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Perfect Stranger Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Grammar question no. 34 - hopefully this time I've used past perfect correctly

Hey again,

Today one of the students in the class said "I think you are a good teacher." He's a new guy, I had never seen him before.

I don't know it the highlighted part is correct or not. Some people claim that present perfect would be OK here... What do you think?

Thanks
  

Top answer

" He's a new guy . I had never seen him before. Correct as shown, but you can use 'have never seen' if you want.

— CalifJim

  • " He's a new guy .
  • I had never seen him before.
  • Correct as shown, but you can use 'have never seen' if you want.
  • It seems, however, that you time focus is in the past, when the student spoke to the teacher, so 'had never seen' is appropriate if that's what you're thinking.
  • CJ
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1 Answers
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Perfect StrangerToday one of the students in the class said "I think you are a good teacher." He's a new guy. I had never seen him before.
Correct as shown, but you can use 'have never seen' if you want. It seems, however, that you time focus is in the past, when the student spoke to the teacher, so 'had never seen'
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