the past tense vs past perfect!help!

Question

Dear administrators:

Thanks for help.Since I have known my post working, I have some englsih grammer to ask. Please consider following two sentences:

1. Did Einstan take IQ test before?

2. Had Einstan taken IQ test before?

Could you tell me which one is more correct and what the difference is between them?

Thank you and I am looking foward to hearing from you. Have a nice weekend!.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Please consider following two sentences:

1. Did Einstein take an IQ test before?

2. Had Einstein taken an IQ test before?

Could you tell me which one is more correct and what the difference is between them?

OK, but let me begin by asking you why you have said 'before'. Before what?

Best wishes, Clive

Eelt · Answer

Hi!Dear Clive:

Thanks for replying.OK, if I don' t use "before" in the setence, shall I just say:

1. Did Einstein take an IQ test?

2. Had Einstein taken an IQ test?

I was referring to whether or not Einsten took an IQ test in the past. Which setence should I construct in regrding to this intent? thanks Clive

Your truly

eelt

Believer · Answer

Thank you, Clive.

I think a long time ago, you mentioned that one of the important caveats in regard to the use of the past perfect is not to use with such words as 'before' or 'after' and from that, I gather what you meant was that with such obvious time references resulting from th use of 'before' and 'after', the past perfect should not be used like this.

I had walked to the post office before last Wednesday.

But I have seen plenty of cases where what comes after the words 'after' or 'before' is more detailed like this:

I had walked to the post office before I bought a new bike.

Is that how the differentiation is made? Frankly, I don't know the clear distinction between the two. Can you help?

Clive · Answer

Hi eelt,

OK, if I don' t use "before" in the sentence, shall I just say:

1. Did Einstein take an IQ test?

2. Had Einstein taken an IQ test?

I was referring to whether or not Einsten took an IQ test in the past. Which sentence should I construct in regrding to this intent? You are just asking a simple question about the past, so just use Simple Past tense, ie #1.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive · Answer

H Believer,

I think a long time ago, you mentioned that one of the important caveats in regard to the use of the past perfect is not to use with such words as 'before' or 'after' and from that, I gather what you meant was that with such obvious time references resulting from th use of 'before' and 'after', the past perfect should not be used like this. Basically, yes. .

I had walked to the post office before last Wednesday. Yes, don't use it like this.

But I have seen plenty of cases where what comes after the words 'after' or 'before' is more detailed like this:

I had walked to the post office before I bought a new bike. I don't see any need to use Past Perfect here. The sequence of events is obvious without it.

Is that how the differentiation is made? No, it's nothing to do with the level of detail.

Frankly, I don't know the clear distinction between the two. Use it if the sequence is not obvious without it. eg

I read a book. I watched TV for two hours. Here, my understanding is 'first the book, then the TV'.

I read a book. I had watched TV for two hours. Here, my understanding is 'first the TV, then the book'.

It's not quite as simple as this, but these are simple examples to illustrate the main idea.

Best wishes, Clive

the past tense vs past perfect!help!

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