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Desk chalk 73 Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Question

Hi, I would like to ask whether the following sentence is correct, and if so, what it should look like.


He had asked me if he had been able to take the chair.

  

Top answer

I see no reason to use Past Perfect here. Just say eg He asked me if he could take the chair.

— Clive

  • I see no reason to use Past Perfect here.
  • Just say eg He asked me if he could take the chair.
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2 Answers
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I see no reason to use Past Perfect here.

Just say

eg He asked me if he could take the chair.

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It's OK to say

Eg Yesterday I called Tom. He had asked me if he could take the chair. I told him 'No'.

I wouldn't say 'had been able to' is completely wrong, but it's awkward and unnatural.

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