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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Past perfect in main clause

Hi. What is the difference? The number 2 sentence is what I have a particular difficulty with. In both (sentence) cases, are we talking about one event preceding the other?

1. When Joe had come home, Jane left the place.

2. When Joe came home, Jane had left the place.
  

Top answer

These are good examples of the difference in use of past perfect and simple past: 1. -- This makes it clear that Joe was home and settled in before Jane left. Perhaps he took off his jacket, opened a beer and sat down in front of the TV before she left.

— Mister Micawber

  • These are good examples of the difference in use of past perfect and simple past: 1.
  • -- This makes it clear that Joe was home and settled in before Jane left.
  • Perhaps he took off his jacket, opened a beer and sat down in front of the TV before she left.
  • 2.
  • -- The implication is that as soon as he walked in the door, she walked out .
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4 Answers
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These are good examples of the difference in use of past perfect and simple past:

1. When Joe had come home, Jane left the place.-- This makes it clear that Joe was home and settled in before Jane left. Perhaps he took off his jacket, opened a beer and sat down in front of the TV before she left.

2. When Joe came home, Jane had left the place.-- The implication
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Somehow, there is a knot in this sentence. 2. When Joe came home, Jane had left the place.--

To me, Jane had already left when Joe stepped in the place. He didn't have a chance to see her.

Is it just my interpretation?
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Right you are, Goodman-- I was paying no attention to that second clause at all. Let me start again:

These are good examples of the difference in use of past perfect and simple past:

1. When Joe had come home, Jane left the place.-- This makes it clear that Joe was home and settled in before Jane left. Perhaps he took off his jacket, opened a beer and sat down
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GoodmanSomehow, there is a knot in this sentence. 2. When Joe came home, Jane had left the place.--

To me, Jane had already left when Joe stepped in the place. He didn't have a chance to see her.

Is it just my interpretation?

I think it the same way. My interpretation says that Joe didnt get chance to see Jane. the sentence says t
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