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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

past perfect

Hi! my question might seem to be stupid enough, it's basic grammar, I believe, however, I'm at my wits' end. Should we use Past perfect or Past Simple in the following sentence: He promised/ had promised to turn up at 4, but appeared at 9?
  

Top answer

Anonymous my question might seem to be stupid enough Not at all! Anonymous Should we use Past perfect or Past Simple in the following sentence: He promised/ had promised to turn up at 4, but appeared at 9? There is no call for past perfect, since the order of past events is quite clear without it, but you may use it for emphasis if you wish.

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous my question might seem to be stupid enough Not at all!
  • Anonymous Should we use Past perfect or Past Simple in the following sentence: He promised/ had promised to turn up at 4, but appeared at 9?
  • There is no call for past perfect, since the order of past events is quite clear without it, but you may use it for emphasis if you wish.
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2 Answers
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Anonymousmy question might seem to be stupid enough
Not at all!
AnonymousShould we use Past perfect or Past Simple in the following sentence: He promised/ had promised to turn up at 4, but appeared at 9?
There is no call for past perfect, since the order of past events is quite clear without it, but you may use it for emphas
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He had promised to turn up at 4, but appeared at 9. This is a very good example of when a native speaker would use the past perfect.
He promised to turn up at 4, but appeared at 9. The simple past is also perfectly acceptable, and frequently used.

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