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Noah Lee Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Past Perfect "b4" Simple Past
I posted a similar question before but it did not get published. So I hope 2nd time lucky.
This is a question about tenses - Past Perfect & Simple Past
Sequence of events:
(supposed to finished packing, say 3:00pm, but didn't) then
(van arrived at 4:00pm) then
(finished packing at 4:30pm).
Which of the following two sentences better described the sequence of events.
1: The removal van arrived before they had finished packing.
2: The removal van HAD arrived before they finished packing.
The first one is supposed to be the correct one according to http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpas-pasper/exercises?ex07 (Question 1)
In a similar situation, could I agree there are no ACTUAL differences in the meaning of following two sentences, both clearly explain the sequence of events:
Home work done > Go out to play
1: When Monica finished her homework, she went out to play with her friends.
2: When Monica HAD finished her homework, she went out to play with her friends.
This is a question about tenses - Past Perfect & Simple Past
Sequence of events:
(supposed to finished packing, say 3:00pm, but didn't) then
(van arrived at 4:00pm) then
(finished packing at 4:30pm).
Which of the following two sentences better described the sequence of events.
1: The removal van arrived before they had finished packing.
2: The removal van HAD arrived before they finished packing.
The first one is supposed to be the correct one according to http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpas-pasper/exercises?ex07 (Question 1)
In a similar situation, could I agree there are no ACTUAL differences in the meaning of following two sentences, both clearly explain the sequence of events:
Home work done > Go out to play
1: When Monica finished her homework, she went out to play with her friends.
2: When Monica HAD finished her homework, she went out to play with her friends.
Top answer
Noah Lee Which of the following two sentences better describe s the sequence of events ? 1: The removal van arrived before they had finished packing. 2: The removal van HAD arrived before they finished packing.
- Noah Lee Which of the following two sentences better describe s the sequence of events ?
- 1: The removal van arrived before they had finished packing.
- 2: The removal van HAD arrived before they finished packing.
- The first one is supposed to be the correct one ...
- The first is very idiomatic, so it's not surprising it was tagged as correct, even though it contains a use of the past perfect which may be somewhat puzzling.
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6 Answers
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Noah LeeWhich of the following two sentences better describes the sequence of events?
1: The removal van arrived before they had finished packing.
2: The removal van HAD arrived before they finished packing.
The first one is supposed to be the correct one ...
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Hi
Thank you for the reply and the link to some previous postings.
So if I use the second version "The removal van HAD arrived before they finished packing. ", would it be a "correct" option without sounding odd to native speakers or natives would distinctively go for Sentence 1 as a matter of habit.
Thank you for the reply and the link to some previous postings.
So if I use the second version "The removal van HAD arrived before they finished packing. ", would it be a "correct" option without sounding odd to native speakers or natives would distinctively go for Sentence 1 as a matter of habit.
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Noah LeeSo if I use the second version "The removal van HAD arrived before they finished packing. ", would it be a "correct" option without sounding odd to native speakersIt would not raise any eyebrows. (~ It would not disturb anyone.) It's quite understandable that way. It's correct.
Noah Leenatives woulddistinctively
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Dear CJ
Many thanks for your help. Also for pointing out the wrong choice of word.
By the way, have you considered writing a book on confusing issues in English grammar and have it published?
Many thanks for your help. Also for pointing out the wrong choice of word.
By the way, have you considered writing a book on confusing issues in English grammar and have it published?
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Noah LeeBy the way, have you considered writing a book on confusing issues in English grammar and have it published?Yes, but only for about a half a second every year or so.
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Hi CJ,
I also think that would be a great idea!
I suggest that you take your courage in both hands and do it. Why not?
I also think that would be a great idea!
I suggest that you take your courage in both hands and do it. Why not? 0
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