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Newguest Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

The tense (had)

Hi

He's in prison because he tried to pay off a police officer.

--- Would it be wrong if I wrote "he HAD tried to pay off ..."?

By the way: If I use "him" or "her" or "them" then I say "pay .... off" AND if I use a noun then I say "pay off ..."?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Newguest By the way: If I use "him" or "her" or "them" then I say "pay .... "? Yes.

— Dave Phillips

  • Newguest By the way: If I use "him" or "her" or "them" then I say "pay ....
  • "?
  • Yes.
  • He's in prison because he tried to pay off a police officer.
  • "?
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3 Answers
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NewguestBy the way: If I use "him" or "her" or "them" then I say "pay .... off" AND if I use a noun then I say "pay off ..."?
Yes.

He's in prison because he tried to pay off a police officer.
--- Would it be wrong if I wrote "he HAD tried to pay off ..."?
It changes the meaning.. Is he still in prison? Then use the first
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NewguestHe's in prison because he tried to pay off a police officer. --- Would it be wrong if I wrote "he HAD tried to pay off ..."?
That wouldn't make much sense because you have nothing at the beginning to establish a past point of view. You wrote: He's in prison, i.e., He is in prison, which is the present situation. He had
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It's clear now. Thank you.
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