had gone/went

«Will you use had gone or went in the above context and why in a few words?»

I actually see no context here — there's only one sentence describing one action.

EDIT:
You should use Past Perfect.

Ant_222«Will you use had gone or went in the above context and why in a few words?» I actually see no context here — there's only one sentence describing one action. EDIT: You should use Past Perfect.

Thanks, Ant.

But the correct answer is had gone.

Strange. went doesn't strike me as unusual or incorrect in any way.

CJ

CalifJimStrange. went doesn't strike me as unusual or incorrect in any way.

CJ

Thank you for your reply, Jim.

Your reply does strike me as unusual, though.

Maybe the gut feeling of native speakers doesn't match the grammar rule once in a blue moon.

In light of your past excellent insightful analyses of Engl

He went to bed at nine o'clock last night.
He had gone to bed by nine o'clock last night.

To me, if 'at' is used, then 'went' is the correct verb.
If 'by' is used, then 'had gone' is the correct verb.

Yoong Liat

He went to bed at nine o'clock last night.
He had gone to bed by nine o'clock last night.

To me, if 'at' is used, then 'went' is the correct verb.
If 'by' is used, then 'had gone' is the correct verb.

Rght on, Yoong.

I agree with you.

As a native speaker, if anyone said to me "he went to bed by nine o'clock last night" it wouldn't strike me as incorrect. I understand the principle behind the rule, but it's one I'd have no problem bending.

I agree with CJ. Without any broader context to justify or necessitate the use of the past perfect, the simple past (went) seems just fine to me, too. Saying by nine o'clock simply means not later than nine o'clock.

EDIT:
Note that 'by' can also be used with present and future tenses. For example:

- I always make it a point to go to bed by nine o'cl

YankeeI agree with CJ. Without any broader context to justify or necessitate the use of the past perfect, the simple past (went) seems just fine to me, too. Saying by nine o'clock simply means not later than nine o'clock.

EDIT:
Note that 'by' can also be used with present and future tenses. For example:

- I always make it a

I think that only "went" is correct.