0
Eagerness Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

simple past or the past perfect tense

Since an English is not my native language, I am always trying to listen to native speakers conversations knowing that that is by far the best way to become proficient in English. I was at the grocery store earlier, and I overheard a cashier talking to one of her colleagues. She said" I told him what I did". As soon as I heard her saying it, something told me that she might have said it incorrectly. Shouldn't she have said it differently using the Past Perfect tense as opposed to using a Simple Past.After having read countless books on English grammar, I would have said " I told him what I had done." Am I right? My wife has been telling me that I care too much about the grammar. Please tell me if I will be understood if say something that is not grammatically correct?

Thank you so much for your time and help.
  

Top answer

" I told him what I did". There is nothing wrong with this sentence. If we discuss events in the distance past, then past perfect no doubt is correct based on absolute grammar rules.

— Goodman

  • " I told him what I did".
  • There is nothing wrong with this sentence.
  • If we discuss events in the distance past, then past perfect no doubt is correct based on absolute grammar rules.
  • I saw my friend John in the grocery store whom I hadn't seen for years.
  • When I got home I told my wife who I just saw minutes ago in the store.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
" I told him what I did".
There is nothing wrong with this sentence.
If we discuss events in the distance past, then past perfect no doubt is correct based on absolute grammar rules.
I saw my friend John in the grocery store whom I hadn't seen for years. When I got home I told my wife who I just saw minutes ago in the store.
I see nothing in correct about this.
0
0
eagernessShe said" I told him what I did". As soon as I heard her saying it, something told me that she might have said it incorrectly. Shouldn't she have said it differently using the Past Perfect tense as opposed to using a Simple Past.
No. She was right to say what she said.
Your version is also correct, however.
eagernessPlea
0

Related Questions