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Stefan Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Past Perfect or Past Simple?

0Hi,02br
02br
00can I have your answer + comment on the following sentence:02br
02br
01b01font00By the time the show 01i00_________02i00 (finish) I was late for the theatre but that didn't matter.02font02b02br
02br
00The answer keys says Past Perfect is necessary, but I can't see why.02br
02br
00TIA02br
02br
00Stefan0-
  

Top answer

0 I would say that the past perfect is acceptable, but not that it's necessary. 02br 02br 00 CJ0-

— CalifJim

  • 0 I would say that the past perfect is acceptable, but not that it's necessary.
  • 02br 02br 00 CJ0-
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3 Answers
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0 I would say that the past perfect is acceptable, but not that it's necessary. The simple past would be fine, too.02br
02br
00 CJ0-
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0 Can you explain why Past Perfect is acceptable? I mean the actions of 'finishing' and 'being late' are at the same time, arent they? TIA 0-
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0 The expression 01i00by the time02i00 often takes the appropriate perfect tense, though it doesn't have to. The time sequence is not always relevant. (01i00before02i00 also has this property.)02br
02br
00 I think it will probably start to rain [by the time / before] we [finish / have finished] our picnic meal.02br
00
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