"He had died before I came.", "He died before I came.", "He died before I've come."

[ahsanul.irfan]

Suppose, Jack died 10 seconds ago and right after I went there and said, "He died before I came."

Is "He died before I came" correct in this context?

Or one these two below would be correct?

"He died before I have come."
"He died before I had come."

 

[5jj]

The first is possible. The second and third are not. I think 'arrived' is more natural than 'come'.

 

[ahsanul.irfan]

The first is possible. The second and third are not. I think 'arrived' is more natural than 'come'.

Can I say "He had died before I came" when the death happened just a few seconds ago?

 

[Tarheel]

"He died before I came (or "arrived") is most natural (assuming you have a reason to say that).

 

[tedmc]

Can I say "He had died before I came" when the death happened just a few seconds ago?

You don't have to use the past perfect tense if it is clear which event comes first.

 

[ahsanul.irfan]

You don't have to use the past perfect tense if it is clear which event comes first.

"He died before I have arrived" I will not use this sentence but does it make sense?

 

[5jj]

It is incorrect. 'Have arrived' is present perfect.

 

[emsr2d2]

"He died before I have arrived." I will not use this sentence but does it make sense?

No.

 

[ahsanul.irfan]

No.

"They have reached the station before the bell rang." Does this sentence make sense?

 

[5jj]

No. You cannot normally use the present perfect (have reached) for a past-time event.

 

[Tarheel]

"They have reached the station before the bell rang." Does this sentence make sense?

Delete "have" and it makes sense. (Sort of.)

 

[jutfrank]

Can I say "He had died before I came" when the death happened just a few seconds ago?

No.