0
Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
When has "initially" or "previously," past perfect not necessary?
Hi. Please help. I think we normally don't use the past perfect tense when a clause other than the main clause includes the words "previously" or "initially." If I am right, is it possibly because the sequence is clear without making the tense change?
eg,
He told her he mentioned it previously.
He told her he mentioned it initially at the start of the meeting.
eg,
He told her he mentioned it previously.
He told her he mentioned it initially at the start of the meeting.
Top answer
Anonymous is it possibly because the sequence is clear without making the tense change? Yes. You can substitute past for past perfect when the time relationship is obvious.
- Anonymous is it possibly because the sequence is clear without making the tense change?
- Yes.
- You can substitute past for past perfect when the time relationship is obvious.
- initially , however, means at the start , so it doesn't make a lot of sense to say initially at the start .
- Leave out initially ; it's just unnecessary repetition.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
Anonymousis it possibly because the sequence is clear without making the tense change?Yes. You can substitute past for past perfect when the time relationship is obvious.
initially, however, means at the start, so it doesn't make a lot of sense to say initially at the start. Leave out initially; it's just unnecessary rep
0
Related Questions