naweewra
Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Thai
- Home Country
- Thailand
- Current Location
- Thailand
Hello,
I was reading up on the use of Past Perfect and found this example.
They were given help and advice BEFORE they had made (or made) the decision.
The point the writer is trying to make here is that when the order of the event is clear from the time expression used in the context, we can use either Past Perfect or Past Simple.
I agree with the writer's point, but I think the part that could be in the Past Perfect form should be "be given help or advice" because that event took place BEFORE the decision was made. For me, it is more logical to say:
They were given (or had been given) help and advice before they made the decision.
Am I wrong here? I have been thinking it over and over in my head and I couldn't understand how the sentence could be what the grammar book says.
Please help.
Nawee
I was reading up on the use of Past Perfect and found this example.
They were given help and advice BEFORE they had made (or made) the decision.
The point the writer is trying to make here is that when the order of the event is clear from the time expression used in the context, we can use either Past Perfect or Past Simple.
I agree with the writer's point, but I think the part that could be in the Past Perfect form should be "be given help or advice" because that event took place BEFORE the decision was made. For me, it is more logical to say:
They were given (or had been given) help and advice before they made the decision.
Am I wrong here? I have been thinking it over and over in my head and I couldn't understand how the sentence could be what the grammar book says.
Please help.
Nawee