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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Simple past and past perfect
I refer to a past statement from which it is clear that ("in fact") I did do/had done something. That which I did is (formally) before the statement in time. However the logical relationship (that I did do/had done something) can be seen as a general reference to the past which is not dependent on the past statement itself.
So I wonder whether to use simple past or past perfect to refer to the time which is (formally) before the statement.
So I wonder whether to use simple past or past perfect to refer to the time which is (formally) before the statement.
Top answer
" Or it's apparently the same to say: "I said that I did" Okay, I don't find it controversial anymore that it is fine and in fact normal to use simple past. But the problem is originally more complicated, I'm afraid. Because the context is a reference to a point in the past when I didn't do something and so appear to have not done it all.
- " Or it's apparently the same to say: "I said that I did" Okay, I don't find it controversial anymore that it is fine and in fact normal to use simple past.
- But the problem is originally more complicated, I'm afraid.
- Because the context is a reference to a point in the past when I didn't do something and so appear to have not done it all.
- So I must use past perfect.
- Also that is clear enough.
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1 Answers
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E.g.: "From what I said it is clear that I did do/had done..."
Or it's apparently the same to say: "I said that I did"
Okay, I don't find it controversial anymore that it is fine and in fact normal to use simple past.
But the problem is originally more complicated, I'm afraid.
Because the context is a reference to a point in the past when I didn't do something and so
Or it's apparently the same to say: "I said that I did"
Okay, I don't find it controversial anymore that it is fine and in fact normal to use simple past.
But the problem is originally more complicated, I'm afraid.
Because the context is a reference to a point in the past when I didn't do something and so
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