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Ann225 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Tense consistency

And then it dawned on me. He had tried to trip me up. That's why he said (or maybe had said) he wanted me to take a break from work. He's planning to get rid of me.

or

And then it dawned on me. He tried to trip me up. That's why he said he wanted me to take a break from work. He's planning to get rid of me.

Many thanks!
  

Top answer

Use the second. There is really no need for past perfect.

— Mister Micawber

  • Use the second.
  • There is really no need for past perfect.
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4 Answers
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Use the second. There is really no need for past perfect.
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I would use the past perfect here to make the order of events absolutely clear.
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You mean in both sentences? 'had tried' and 'had said'? or only in the first one?
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