Passive, Simple past, Past perfect (Grammar Question)

[haumran]

Hi,

I want to have an explanation for the following, why we used (was locked) instead of (had been locked)

Because the door (was locked), the policemen (broke) it down

Thank you

 

[probus]

Both "was locked" and "had been locked" are correct and almost identical in meaning. The past perfect "had been locked" gives slightly more emphasis to the fact that somebody locked the door before the police arrived, while "was locked" is a simple factual report of the door's state when they arrived.

 

[Rover_KE]

powerhousebridge, please read this extract from the Forum Rules:

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Thank you,

Rover