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Anonymous Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Past Simple vs. Past Perfect

Hello everyone,
I came across this sentence that made me wonder about its usage of tense.

1. "This was the first time they had had an intercourse."

My question is why is there a past perfect and would there be any difference if I just said this:

2. "This was the first time they had an intercourse."?

The n. 1 sentence is from Cruse's book on semantics Meaning in language.

Thanks for all answers.
  

Top answer

In everyday English, there's no real difference. #1 is a bit more emphatic . intercourse, not an intercourse.

— Clive

  • In everyday English, there's no real difference.
  • #1 is a bit more emphatic .
  • intercourse, not an intercourse.
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1 Answers
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In everyday English, there's no real difference.
#1 is a bit more emphatic
.
intercourse, not an intercourse.
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