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Pleasehelp Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Mixing tenses

What he had done to you is unforgiveable.

What he had done to you was unforgiveable.

Are these past perfect tenses used correctly? Does it have to include a situation prior to the one stated? Also can I mix the tenses in bold?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

You can do this: What he has done / did to you is unforgiveable. What he did to you was/is unforgiveable.

— Mister Micawber

  • You can do this: What he has done / did to you is unforgiveable.
  • What he did to you was/is unforgiveable.
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5 Answers
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You can do this:

What he has done / did to you is unforgiveable.
What he did to you was/is unforgiveable.
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Mister MicawberYou can do this:

What he has done / did to you is unforgiveable.
What he did to you was/is unforgiveable.


Thanks MM,

But are the past perfect examples I gave unacceptable then?
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MM,

What he has did to you is unforgiveable. Sounds kind of off?

he has = present perfect tense so shouldn't it follow w/ a past particle?
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There is no such thing as a 'past particle' and no one but you wrote 'has did'.
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Mister MicawberThere is no such thing as a 'past particle' and no one but you wrote 'has did'.

Typo and misread...
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