It had first been named
After they had sailed that course about half the day, they fell amongst dangerous shoals and roaring breakers, and they were so far entangled therewith as they conceived themselves in great danger; and the wind shrinking upon them withal, they resolved to bear up again for the Cape and thought themselves happy to get out of those dangers before night overtook them, as by God's good providence they did. And the next day they got into the Cape Harbor where they rid in safety. The Cape had first been named by Captain Gosnold and his company in 1602 and after by Captain Smith was called Cape James; but it retains the former name amongst seamen".
The cape was named before this whole ordeal, of course, so I think the past perfect is correct here. (bold-faced part). Am I right?
Top answer
Yes, Past Perfect is fine. But Simple Past would also be OK. ie The Cape was first named by Captain Gosnold and his company in 1602 and after by Captain Smith was called Cape James; but it retains the former name amongst seamen".
- Yes, Past Perfect is fine.
- But Simple Past would also be OK.
- ie The Cape was first named by Captain Gosnold and his company in 1602 and after by Captain Smith was called Cape James; but it retains the former name amongst seamen".
- The word 'first' and the mention of the date make the sequence of events clear to the reader.
- Clive
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Yes, Past Perfect is fine.
But Simple Past would also be OK.
ie The Cape was first named by Captain Gosnold and his company in 1602 and after by Captain Smith was called Cape James; but it retains the former name amongst seamen".
The word 'first' and the mention of the date make the sequence of events clear to the reader.
Clive
0
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