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Mercyful_fate Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
What is the difference between these sentences
I washed the plate before I ate from it, and I had washed the plate before I ate from it.
I know that they both use different tenses, but what's the difference? And are they grammatically correct?
I know that they both use different tenses, but what's the difference? And are they grammatically correct?
Top answer
They are correct, and they mean the same thing. The part that says "had washed" shows that the washing happened before the eating. The part that says "before" shows that the washing happened before the eating.
- They are correct, and they mean the same thing.
- The part that says "had washed" shows that the washing happened before the eating.
- The part that says "before" shows that the washing happened before the eating.
- It is not necessary to use both ways of showing the sequence of events, but it is not wrong to do so either.
- Native speakers usually say "washed" instead of "had washed" if there is a word like "before" that also shows the sequence of events.
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3 Answers
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They are correct, and they mean the same thing.
The part that says "had washed" shows that the washing happened before the eating.
The part that says "before" shows that the washing happened before the eating.
It is not necessary to use both ways of showing the sequence of events, but it is not wrong to do so either. Native speakers usually say "washed" instead of "had wash
The part that says "had washed" shows that the washing happened before the eating.
The part that says "before" shows that the washing happened before the eating.
It is not necessary to use both ways of showing the sequence of events, but it is not wrong to do so either. Native speakers usually say "washed" instead of "had wash
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Thanks CJ. I have a question, let's say I'm eating on the plate right now and my mom asked me "did you wash your plate?" so is it correct to say "I had washed the plate before I ate from it or use the past simple?"
Or can I use mixed tenses, like "I washed the plate before I eat from it."
What I want to say if something has connection with the present which tense is suitable? Mi
Or can I use mixed tenses, like "I washed the plate before I eat from it."
What I want to say if something has connection with the present which tense is suitable? Mi
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Mercyful_fate let's say I'm eating on the plate right now and my mom asked me "did you wash your plate?"It's a current situation, so "had washed" is not appropriate. Say, "I washed the plate before I started to eat from it".
You can use "washed" (or "had washed") if you're telling about something that happened yesterday, last month, or what
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