Past Perfect or Present Perfect

Question

Hello,could you, please, tell me why Past Perfect is used in this sentence?Wouldn't it better to use Present Perfect?Thank you"Kate is not as intelligent as sociable as I had imagined her to be."

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

HotmaleKate is not as intelligent as and sociable as I had imagined her to be.

A situation that brings to light evidence that proves us wrong in a former opinion is usually expressed with the past perfect.

Louise is not as sociable as I had imagined. (than I had imagined before I met her)
Richard is more intelligent than I had imagined. (than I had imagined before I met him)

- Why are you looking there for the salt?
- Isn't the salt in this cupboard?
- No. It's over here.
- Oh! I had thought that it was there. / Oh! I had forgotten where it was.

- You shouldn't take more than one of those free after-dinner mints!
- Why not?
- Don't you see the sign? "Please take only one."
- Oh! Sorry! I hadn't seen that.

CJ

Hotmale · Answer

Oh, I see. A great explanation. Thank you, CalifJim <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Past Perfect or Present Perfect

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