Sequence of tenses

Question

Please, could anybody help me out with my embarrasment.

Is this phrase correct? (The combination of Present Perfect and Past Perfect).

"I have learnt about this program from a fellow, who had earlier participated in it."

If not, what is the right way to express that idea?

Thanks in advance.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI have learnt about this program from a fellow, who had earlier participated in it.

I say it's correct, but it would be much more natural to delete the comma.

If the "who" clause is non-restrictive, we must be able to say,

"I have learnt about this program from a fellow."

How did you learn about this program? (reply) From a fellow.

This is deliberately evasive - rude.

But you could use "fellow" as an adjective: From a fellow student.

Edit. My reply was from an American perspective. It would be like saying, "From a guy."

But I believe that in some communities, "a fellow" has a different meaning.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for the remark. Should think about this nuance.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousIs this phrase correct? (The combination of Present Perfect and Past Perfect).

Sorry, I should have addressed the tense question.
My understanding is that the present perfect qualifies as a past tense reference for the past perfect.

I learnt this from a fellow who had/has been there.

I have learnt this from a fellow who had/has been there.

Anonymous · Answer

Now this somehow kicks me back. The two last examples that you have given are the kernel of the problem.

Let me put it this way.

Which of the following ones is the most adequate:

1. I have learnt about this program from a fellow who has earlier participated in it.
2. I have learnt about this program from a fellow who had earlier participated in it.
3. I learnt about this program from a fellow who participated in it earlier.
4. Any other suggestion?

I stake on number 2, but I am not sure.

By the way, in the real phrase there will be a name instead of the word "fellow", so there's not that much to worry about, but anyways, thanks for pointing it out.

And as far as the commas are concerned, I simply put them in places of inflexional drops.

Perhaps this is not the best rule to follow.

Avangi · Answer

Hi, Anon, sorry for the delay. They all have the same meaning, but in my opinion #3 reads best.

AnonymousAnd as far as the commas are concerned, I simply put them in places of inflexional drops. Perhaps this is not the best rule to follow.

I generally follow that rule myself, but the restrictive and non-restrictive clauses present a special problem:

the comma can completely change the meaning.

A case in point, if you replace "a fellow" with a proper name, you should change the clause back to non-restrictive (add the comma).

I heard it from Jack Jones, who was there.

If you omit the comma, the clause purports to tell which Jack Jones, instead of simply adding information about him.

Rgdz, - A.

CalifJim · Answer

Avangiin my opinion #3 reads best.

Agree.

CJ

Sequence of tenses

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