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Peaceblinkfriend Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

"had started" & "before"?

Hi all

I was just wondering is there any problem using the past perfect tense with the word 'before'?

For instance, This had started so many years before I was born.

Thanks

PBF
  

Top answer

No problem at all. In fact, it's a perfect example of when to use the tense.

— Philip

  • No problem at all.
  • In fact, it's a perfect example of when to use the tense.
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4 Answers
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No problem at all. In fact, it's a perfect example of when to use the tense.
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Hi PBF

As Philip has told you, the past perfect is often used in combination with the word "before".

However, since the word "before" makes the order of two past events in a single sentence clear, it is frequently unnecessary to use the past perfect.
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Thank you for replying, Philip and Yankee.

I think since I've heard the past perfect being used with 'ago' so often that I doubted myself when I was trying to use it with 'before'.

PBF
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YankeeHi PBF

As Philip has told you, the past perfect is often used in combination with the word "before".

However, since the word "before" makes the order of two past events in a single sentence clear,it is frequently unnecessary to use the past perfect.

But don't you just love using it?!?
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