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PreciousJones Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Past perfect

Someone asking me why I joined the Red Cross, I reply with:

It's something I've always wanted to be a part of. Or

It's something I had always wanted to be a part of.

Are both useable and mean the same thing?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

Yes, both forms are used by native English speakers. The only difference I can see would be if you joined the Red Cross but then decided you didn't want to stay, and left. In that case, "...

— KrisBlueNZ

  • Yes, both forms are used by native English speakers.
  • The only difference I can see would be if you joined the Red Cross but then decided you didn't want to stay, and left.
  • In that case, "...
  • " is better, because "...
  • " implies that you STILL want to be part of the Red Cross, which would not be true in that case.
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3 Answers
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Yes, both forms are used by native English speakers.
The only difference I can see would be if you joined the Red Cross but then decided you didn't want to stay, and left. In that case, "... I HAD always wanted ..." is better, because "... I HAVE always wanted ..." implies that you STILL want to be part of the Red Cross, which would not be true in that case.
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KrisBlueNZYes, both forms are used by native English speakers.The only difference I can see would be if you joined the Red Cross but then decided you didn't want to stay, and left. In that case, "... I HAD always wanted ..." is better, because "... I HAVE always wanted ..." implies that you STILL want to be part of the Red Cross, which would not be true in that case.
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What about this sentence?

Me and a friend were talking about a mutual acquaintance.

Jessica told me to steal money from my dad because I had told her that he gave his ATM PIN to me. That is why I've stopped talking to her.

Pls proofread sentence. Thank you.
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