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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Past perfect: Hadn't thought/noticed

Have you thought about buying a cat to solve you rat-problem?" "I hadn't thought of that."

Secretary: Mr. Johnson, your five-o'clock appointment is here. Boss: Oh! I hadn't noticed the time! Send him in.

Why past perfect is used here?
I understand that the Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past. (Quoted from EnglishPage.com)
But can I use present perfect- haven't thought?

Can anyone explains the difference for the sentences below?
I have thought...
I haven't thought...
I thought...
I had thought...
I hadn't thought...

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

" That sentence is fine. The second speaker had not thought about buying a cat until the first speaker mentioned it. The present perfect is also possible.

— Fivejedjon

  • " That sentence is fine.
  • The second speaker had not thought about buying a cat until the first speaker mentioned it.
  • The present perfect is also possible.
  • The speaker has not thought about it until the present moment.
  • Anonymous Secretary: Mr.
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1 Answers
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AnonymousHave you thought about buying a cat to solve you rat-problem?" "I hadn't thought of that."
That sentence is fine. The second speaker had not thought about buying a cat until the first speaker mentioned it.
The present perfect is also possible. The speaker has not thought about it until the present moment.
AnonymousSecretary
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