Why is this grammatically correct?

Question

"Only by tapping their last reserves of energy were the team members able to salvage WHAT WAS BEGINNING to look like a lost cause."

The words in all caps doesn't seem to sound right... wouldn't they be "Had begun" instead of "What was beginning"?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousThe words in all caps ~~doesn't~~ don't seem to sound right.

But they are right.

Anonymouswouldn't they be "what had begun" instead of "what was beginning"?

That's another possibility.

was beginning suggests that there were a first few vague signs that it was a lost cause.
had begun suggests that there were very definite and sure signs that it was a lost cause.

That's how I read the difference anyway.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for answering CJ!

Why is this grammatically correct?

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