When to use . . . ?

Question

Hi.Now I understand that I've been through . . . is correct to use when describe past event. But I don't know when to use I'd been through or any I had. . .  cases.I had been is a past perfect right ? Do you have to mention the time plot if you use a past perfect verb ?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

lokonBut I don't know when to use I'd been through or any I had. . . cases.

Here are some examples:

After all the extraordinarily hard work we did yesterday, I felt as though I had been through the mill.

We had a horrible experience on the trip. We were captured by the insurgents and held hostage for several days before being released. It was as though we'd been through **** and back again.

lokonI had been is a past perfect right ? Do you have to mention the time plot if you use a past perfect verb ?

Yes. Past perfect is an action completed before another time in the past, so a past time reference (in context or in the same sentence) is needed.

Lokon · Answer

So, when we write about specific past time, we use Past perfect ?

If we write about unknown past time, we use present perfect ?
Ex:
I've been through a lot. I'd been through a very harsh summer last year.

Lokon · Answer

Another small question, is there a difference between these two sentence, in meaning.

He was appeared on Monday.
He appeared on Monday

Lokon · Answer

Hi all, I really need some answer. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' alt='Emotion: sad'/>

Lokon · Answer

<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' alt='Emotion: sad'/><img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' alt='Emotion: sad'/><img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' alt='Emotion: sad'/>some helps<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' alt='Emotion: sad'/><img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' alt='Emotion: sad'/><img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/6.gif' alt='Emotion: sad'/>

Lokon · Answer

AlpheccaStars · Answer

He was appeared on Monday. incorrect use of passive

He appeared on Monday. correct use of simple past

AlpheccaStars · Answer

lokonSo, when we write about specific past time, we use Past perfect ?

No. Simple past is most often used -
I went to school yesterday.

Past perfect is only for action that has completed before another event in the past.
Before I moved (simple past) to New York, I had lived (past perfect) in London for three years.

Often, we just use the simple past, if the completion of the earlier action is not really important.

Before I answered (simple past) the post, I ate (simple past) dinner.

After we had eaten dinner, we watched television. (I stress that finishing dinner before watching TV is important.)

lokonIf we write about unknown past time, we use present perfect ?

No. Present perfect is used for an action that started in the past, and might be complete, but also might not be complete.

My nephew has been learning to play the banjo for a few months. (He is still learning.)

My nephew learned to play the banjo. (He can play it; he is not learning it any more.)

I have just finished reading my email. (Completed now.)

Have you seen the latest news? (Did you see it recently?)

lokonI've been through a lot.

Yes. It means that you have had some intense experiences. They might be over, but maybe not...

lokonI'd been through a very harsh summer last year.

No, there is not another past time reference (a point in time, or event) telling when the action was completed.

Before I graduated school, I had been through many harsh summers.
Before autumn's cool weather arrived last year, we had had the hottest, driest summer on record.

Lokon · Answer

I understand now.
Thanks for helping me so much !

Lokon · Answer

Sry to bother again. I'd tried to understand by myself before asking again, but I still don't get it.

He was appeared on Monday. incorrect use of passive

'to be' + the past participle = Passive voice
I can't tell why it's wrong, please advice me.

When to use . . . ?

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