Sequence of tenses with "explain"

Question

Hi there. Could somebody correct these?I explained her that most pubs close/closed at about eleven and people go/went home, usually a bit drunk.She had become/got/made friends with someone from Spain. Does the word in bold sound well here?I emboldened words which I suppose fit well. Could somebody correct me if I'm wrong.Thank in advance, friends.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Fandorin I explained to her that most pubs close/closed at about eleven and people go/went home, usually a bit drunk. You can use either past or present, as long as you're consistent. I prefer present here.

She had become/~~got~~/made friends with someone from Spain.

Become and made are both fine. I think "become" is more intimate, spontaneous, genuine, and mutual. Sometimes we use "to make friends with" as "to deliberately go about cultivating a friendship for a particular [sometimes selfish] purpose. I made friends with the dog so he wouldn't bite me. I made friends with the bartender so he'd give me free drinks.

Sometimes we say, "She got to be friends with etc." - but not "She got friends with"

But you can say, "She got [to be] friendly with etc." ("to be" is optional here.) This is sometimes used to describe a mutual friendliness (became friendly), and sometimes, without the "to be," to describe only the actions of the person who "got friendly." (The other person did not respond to these actions.)

Fandorin · Answer

Thank you, Avangi. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

CalifJim · Answer

FandorinI explained ~~her~~ that most pubs close/closed at about eleven and people go/went home, usually a bit drunk.

Both tenses are fine, but since you are describing a general routine, I prefer the present tense.
In English we don't mention the person who receives the explanation as much as that is done in other languages. We very often leave it to be understood by context. Nevertheless, if it is really necessary to mention that person, you need the preposition to:
explain(ed) to her; explain(ed) to him, etc.
CJ

CalifJim · Answer

FandorinShe had become/got/made friends with someone from Spain. Does the word in bold sound well here?

Yes, it's fine. You can't use "got", however.
CJ
P.S. sound is a linking verb. I'd use Does it sound good here?

Avangi · Answer

FandorinI explained her that most pubs close

"I told her that most pubs close" is possible.

Sequence of tenses with "explain"

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