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Chariot Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
until, by the time
"Until you graduate, you don't understand that life is just beginning."
I wonder that when "until" introduces a sentence, both the clauses must be in the same verb tense. Is it true?
"By the time I was in high school, I had gotten my first job." There must be a clause in the perfect tense when by the time is used. Is it true? Thanks a lot.
I wonder that when "until" introduces a sentence, both the clauses must be in the same verb tense. Is it true?
"By the time I was in high school, I had gotten my first job." There must be a clause in the perfect tense when by the time is used. Is it true? Thanks a lot.
Top answer
" Both general truths, thus present tense is recommended. " had gotten is past perfect (plusperfect) here, not perfect, and it is correct, as it is an action which precedes getting into high school.
- " Both general truths, thus present tense is recommended.
- " had gotten is past perfect (plusperfect) here, not perfect, and it is correct, as it is an action which precedes getting into high school.
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3 Answers
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"Until you graduate, you don't understand that life is just beginning."
Both general truths, thus present tense is recommended.
"By the time I was in high school, I had gotten my first job."
had gotten is past perfect (plusperfect) here, not perfect, and it is correct, as it is an action which precedes getting into high school.
Both general truths, thus present tense is recommended.
"By the time I was in high school, I had gotten my first job."
had gotten is past perfect (plusperfect) here, not perfect, and it is correct, as it is an action which precedes getting into high school.
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I wonder that when "until" introduces a sentence, both the clauses must be in the same verb tense. Is it true?Absolutely false!
Until you know the truth about what happened, you will never be able to trust her.
Until he had seen it for himself, he doubted that the city could have been as beautiful as they had describe
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There must be a clause in the perfect tense when by the time is used. Is it true?This has the ring of truth. It certainly is the norm, especially if you include the modal perfect tenses (must have, would have, ...). And yet, counterexamples do exist, particularly with a stative verb in the main clause.
By the time you arrive, I will (already) be here.
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