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Sb70012 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

He was very angry because not one of his friends wished/had wished him a happy birthday. :cross:

1. He was very angry because not one of his friends wished him a happy birthday.
2. He was very angry because not one of his friends had wished him a happy birthday.

Source: school exam

Hi,
Why can't "wished" work? Maybe the act of "wishing" and getting angry happened at the same time. So, according to this analysis can't we say "wished" is also correct?

Thank you.

I asked this question in WR forum too. One native English speaker said #1 is wrong. And one other native English speaker said both of the sentences are fine. Now I am confused.
http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/not-only-%E2%80%A6%E2%80%A6-my-mistake-but-also-he-pointed-it-out.3225659/
  

Top answer

Both are possible. The past perfect would make it clear that the lack of birthday greetings preceded his anger.

— Fivejedjon

  • Both are possible.
  • The past perfect would make it clear that the lack of birthday greetings preceded his anger.
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6 Answers
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Both are possible. The past perfect would make it clear that the lack of birthday greetings preceded his anger.
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But don't you think that "wished" is wrong because logically his anger must have come after the (not) wishing?

How do you interpret "wished" in #1 that it works for you?
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sb70012But don't you think that "wished" is wrong because logically his anger must have come after the (not) wishing?
Because we know that, it is not essential to use a past perfect form.
sb70012How do you interpret "wished" in #1 that it works for you?
I probably would not even think about 'interpreting' it. If it were vita
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Thanks for answering but I still have not understand that in what time sequence "wished" is used.

1. He was very angry because not one of his friends wished him a happy birthday.

2. He was very angry because not one of his friends had wished him a happy birthday.
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sb700121. He was very angry because not one of his friends wished him a happy birthday.
No.

Context will clear up any doubts, should they be important, of the timings.
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sb70012Why can't "wished" work?
Emotion: surprise It can work. You have the word "because". Causes
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