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Makiasan Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
(had known/knew) that before then.
Yesterday my sister said to our parents that she's pregnant. She told me that a week before.
In this context, which is correct, "had known" or "knew";
"Yesterday my sister said to our parents that she's pregnant. I (had known/knew) that before then."
I also want to know if the phrase "before then" is correct.
Thanks!
In this context, which is correct, "had known" or "knew";
"Yesterday my sister said to our parents that she's pregnant. I (had known/knew) that before then."
I also want to know if the phrase "before then" is correct.
Thanks!
Top answer
Makiasan In this context, which is correct, "had known" or "knew";"Yesterday my sister said to our parents that she's pregnant. " Both are acceptable. Thanks!
- Makiasan In this context, which is correct, "had known" or "knew";"Yesterday my sister said to our parents that she's pregnant.
- " Both are acceptable.
- Thanks!
- It's not wrong, but it's not necessary either; I knew/had known that before is clear enough.
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4 Answers
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MakiasanIn this context, which is correct, "had known" or "knew";"Yesterday my sister said to our parents that she's pregnant. I (had known/knew) that before then."Both are acceptable.
MakiasanI also want to know if the phrase "before then" is correct.Thanks!It's not wrong, but it's not necessary either; I knew/had know
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Often, the past perfect is optional when already, before, or after is used. In this case, it's up to the writer to decide whether the past perfect fits into the sentence or just causes wordiness.
I would write
Yesterday, my sister told our parents that she was pregnant, which I had already known.
I would write
Yesterday, my sister told our parents that she was pregnant, which I had already known.
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