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Tommyek Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

He couldn't understand why she didn't tell him earlier.

Hi!

'He couldn't understand why she didn't tell him earlier. ' Is it correct sentence? Or, should it be constructed like that - 'He couldn't understand why she hadn't told him earlier.' ? Maybe, the structure of second clause depends on what context is being used?

I am counting on your help!
  

Top answer

Both sentences are correct, but my preference is for the second one because it is more graceful.

  • Both sentences are correct, but my preference is for the second one because it is more graceful.
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2 Answers
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Both sentences are correct, but my preference is for the second one because it is more graceful.
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In this case, is 'could' imply past or present tense? Because if past tense, then, I suppose, tense in second clause should move one tense back into the past, making the first sentence is incorrect.

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