Re: Anything wrong with this sent: Before the ambulance came
Helped Wanted said:
Please advice if there's any problem with this sentence structure. A billion thanks for helping again.
Before the ambulance came, the gang of robbers had got away.
I agree with RonBee.
In addition,
had of 'had got away' indicates that the action of
getting away took place before the ambulance arrived.
Event #1: The gang got away. => The gang
had got away.
Event #2: The ambulance came. => The ambulance arrived.
The gang had got away [before the ambulance came.] (OK)
[Before the ambulance came,] the gang had got away. (OK)
Topicalizing 'the ambulance came' can for some people make it seem as if
the ambulance arrived happened 1st and
the gang got away happened 2nd.
