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Avangi Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Past Perfect Again
Hi,
I used to be comfortable with this!
I stole a roll of toilet paper when I worked there.
I had stolen a roll of toilet paper when I was working there.
I had stolen a roll of toilet paper when I worked there.
Doesn't the past perfect act need to be prior in time to the simple past reference?
It seems like the "when" makes that impossible.
I have less trouble accepting the progressive sentence, but I can't justify it.
Aren't they both wrong??
If I add another "prior" event, everything is okay, of course:
I was fired because I had stolen a roll of toilet paper when I worked there.
I think that when I find the blue examples acceptable, it's because I have some prior context in my mind.
Does anyone find the blue examples acceptable??
Thanks, - A.
Edit. This is not autobiographical, by the way.
I used to be comfortable with this!
I stole a roll of toilet paper when I worked there.
I had stolen a roll of toilet paper when I was working there.
I had stolen a roll of toilet paper when I worked there.
Doesn't the past perfect act need to be prior in time to the simple past reference?
It seems like the "when" makes that impossible.
I have less trouble accepting the progressive sentence, but I can't justify it.
Aren't they both wrong??
If I add another "prior" event, everything is okay, of course:
I was fired because I had stolen a roll of toilet paper when I worked there.
I think that when I find the blue examples acceptable, it's because I have some prior context in my mind.
Does anyone find the blue examples acceptable??
Thanks, - A.
Edit. This is not autobiographical, by the way.
Top answer
As you say, you need some further context to justify the use of the past perfect in the blue sentences. There are situations, however, when a past perfect could work with "when". I had eaten my breakfast when she called .
- As you say, you need some further context to justify the use of the past perfect in the blue sentences.
- There are situations, however, when a past perfect could work with "when".
- I had eaten my breakfast when she called .
- (the eating happened prior to the calling) I think that it has to do with the nature of the verb following the word "when".
- "Call" is normally/often used in a non-progressive aspect and that's the reason, I think, that that particular verb (and other similar non progressive verbs) works well in combination with a past perfect verb and the time word "when".
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2 Answers
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As you say, you need some further context to justify the use of the past perfect in the blue sentences. There are situations, however, when a past perfect could work with "when".
I had eaten my breakfast when she called. (the eating happened prior to the calling)
I think that it has to do with the nature of the verb following the word "when". "Call" is normally/oft
I had eaten my breakfast when she called. (the eating happened prior to the calling)
I think that it has to do with the nature of the verb following the word "when". "Call" is normally/oft
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