0
Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Question form
Hi,
Is the structure okay in these rhetorical questions in the past tense form:
Why had he resigned when he ought to have continued?
When a phone call could have saved John, why had he feigned ignorance?
Or, must the forms be simpler as in: why would he resign when he ought to continue? When a phone call could save John, why would he feign ignorance?
Regards,
Mr. X
Is the structure okay in these rhetorical questions in the past tense form:
Why had he resigned when he ought to have continued?
When a phone call could have saved John, why had he feigned ignorance?
Or, must the forms be simpler as in: why would he resign when he ought to continue? When a phone call could save John, why would he feign ignorance?
Regards,
Mr. X
Top answer
My reaction is this: Why did he resign when he ought to have continued? When a phone call could have saved John, why did he feign ignorance? I see no reason for past perfect without further context requiring its use.
- My reaction is this: Why did he resign when he ought to have continued?
- When a phone call could have saved John, why did he feign ignorance?
- I see no reason for past perfect without further context requiring its use.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
My reaction is this:
Why did he resign when he ought to have continued?
When a phone call could have saved John, why did he feign ignorance?
I see no reason for past perfect without further context requiring its use.
Why did he resign when he ought to have continued?
When a phone call could have saved John, why did he feign ignorance?
I see no reason for past perfect without further context requiring its use.
00
Thanks, Clive. I think you're right. Past perfect seems unnecessary here.
00
Related Questions