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Hole One a New See Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Use of Past Perfect

Hi everybody,

By the time the policewoman had loaded her pistol, the robber had already run away.

Can it be correct? If so, why is the first part in past perfect?

Thanks for your help in advance.
  

Top answer

The past perfect describes an action that takes place before another past action. So, the first part of the sentence should not be in the past perfect.

— Philip

  • The past perfect describes an action that takes place before another past action.
  • So, the first part of the sentence should not be in the past perfect.
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6 Answers
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The past perfect describes an action that takes place before another past action. So, the first part of the sentence should not be in the past perfect.
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By (=at or before) time X, two things had happened: the policewoman had loaded her gun and the robber had run away.

Time X is the time when the loading of the gun was complete.
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Hole One a New SeeCan it be correct? If so, why is the first part in past perfect?
It can be. You don't really need the past perfect in the first part; it's optional. However, it's fairly customary in by the time clauses to use the past perfect for actions that could not be completed, failed to be completed, or simply were not completed by the time so
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As we can notice, there are two (2) actions in the past (meaning, one is in the simple past tense and the other one in the present perfect tense.

I may suggest that the first dependent clause should be in the SIMPLE PAST, that is, "by the time the policewoman LOADED her gun, the robber HAD LEFT (past perfect tense ) already {independent clause.

TY.
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Mellie Daracen 7123I may suggest that the first dependent clause should be in the SIMPLE PAST, that is, "by the time the policewoman LOADED her gun, the robber HAD LEFT (past perfect tense ) already {independent clause..
The simple past is possible but, as a couple of us have pointed out, so is the past perfect.
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