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Paul Evdokimov Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
the sequence of tenses
Hi there,
This fill-in-the-gaps task is from Grammar in context:
"Only ____ we finally got home and looked at all our photos did we realize how incredible our holiday had been."
'when' is the obvious choice, but I wonder whether 'after' would be possible as well. The verb in the past simple tense is allowed to follow 'after' if there's a sequence of brief actions performed one after another. In this particular context getting home and looking at the pics - before realizing smth. - don't seem to conform to this rule...
Thanks for your comments.
This fill-in-the-gaps task is from Grammar in context:
"Only ____ we finally got home and looked at all our photos did we realize how incredible our holiday had been."
'when' is the obvious choice, but I wonder whether 'after' would be possible as well. The verb in the past simple tense is allowed to follow 'after' if there's a sequence of brief actions performed one after another. In this particular context getting home and looking at the pics - before realizing smth. - don't seem to conform to this rule...
Thanks for your comments.
Top answer
Paul Evdokimov 'when' is the obvious choice, but I wonder whether 'after' would be possible as well. Yes, "after" works fine. Note the subject-verb inversion in the main clause.
- Paul Evdokimov 'when' is the obvious choice, but I wonder whether 'after' would be possible as well.
- Yes, "after" works fine.
- Note the subject-verb inversion in the main clause.
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1 Answers
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Paul Evdokimov'when' is the obvious choice, but I wonder whether 'after' would be possible as well.Yes, "after" works fine.
Note the subject-verb inversion in the main clause.
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