Past simple or perfect
You're at a job interview and it goes well. You step outside of the room and say:
"Phew, that got rid of all the tension that has/had built up over the last few days."
Which one and why? Thanks
Logically, I'd say the past perfect should be used because of "that got rid of", but since it happened so recently (you say it as soon as the interview ends), I'm kind of leaning towards the present perfect as well.
Top answer
Necrophagist Phew, that got rid of all the tension that (has) built up over the last few days. 'has' is optional. 'that's been building up' is another possibility.
- Necrophagist Phew, that got rid of all the tension that (has) built up over the last few days.
- 'has' is optional.
- 'that's been building up' is another possibility.
- 'had' is not really very good because you have "the last few days" which suggests a time period that is very recent and that extends up to the present time (or very, very nearly).
- I'd just say 'that built up'.
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NecrophagistPhew, that got rid of all the tension that (has) built up over the last few days.
'has' is optional. 'that's been building up' is another possibility.
'had' is not really very good because you have "the last few days" which suggests a time period that is very recent and that extends up to the present ti
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