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Meowmechon Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Use of Past / Past Perfect / Present Perfect
I want to express a certain situation which happened in the past and was considered normal/common at that time, but terminated at some point in life, which past tense is best for this purpose ? I know using "used to" may be a good idea, but I'd like to focus on common past tenses.
Instance : I used to be on that sport team during my childhood.
Rewrite : a. I've always been on that sport team during my childhood.
b. I had always been on that sport team during my childhood.
c. I had always been on that sport team when I was a child.
d. I was always on that sport team during my childhood.
I'm uncertain about "a" & "b", I suppose a past perfect tense can't stand alone but using present perfect also means a continuation into present time (violates the requirement), so I'm a bit in a dilemma.
I'm not sure if all of the above remakes are equivalent to the instance, either.
Suggestions on the subject and difference between "a" and "b" will be kindly appreciated.
Instance : I used to be on that sport team during my childhood.
Rewrite : a. I've always been on that sport team during my childhood.
b. I had always been on that sport team during my childhood.
c. I had always been on that sport team when I was a child.
d. I was always on that sport team during my childhood.
I'm uncertain about "a" & "b", I suppose a past perfect tense can't stand alone but using present perfect also means a continuation into present time (violates the requirement), so I'm a bit in a dilemma.
I'm not sure if all of the above remakes are equivalent to the instance, either.
Suggestions on the subject and difference between "a" and "b" will be kindly appreciated.
Top answer
Only D expresses correctly what you wish to express. Meowmechon I suppose a past perfect tense can't stand alone but using present perfect also means a continuation into present time (violates the requirement), You suppose correctly.
- Only D expresses correctly what you wish to express.
- Meowmechon I suppose a past perfect tense can't stand alone but using present perfect also means a continuation into present time (violates the requirement), You suppose correctly.
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3 Answers
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Only D expresses correctly what you wish to express.
Meowmechon I suppose a past perfect tense can't stand alone but using present perfect also means a continuation into present time (violates the requirement),You suppose correctly.
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Tnanks Micawber !
What about c ? I already set up another past tense in the clause, or does it simply sound unnatural ?
I used the rationale below :
Common usage -> I've always wanted to do this. (a wish that continues to present and still exists)
So I guess I can have -> I had always wanted to do this when I was a child. (Supposedly a wish that once continued
What about c ? I already set up another past tense in the clause, or does it simply sound unnatural ?
I used the rationale below :
Common usage -> I've always wanted to do this. (a wish that continues to present and still exists)
So I guess I can have -> I had always wanted to do this when I was a child. (Supposedly a wish that once continued
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Meowmechon I already set up another past tense in the clause,But it occurred at the same time. Past perfect is properly used only to represent the earlier of two past actions when their order of occurrence is otherwise unclear.
Compare:
I started eating when she arrived. — She arrived and I started at the same time.
I h
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