[Grammar] ... they had felt honored when he recruited them ...

[kadioguy]

a. ... they had felt honored when he recruited them ...

b. ... they felt honored when he recruited them ...

Why is 'had felt honored' used, rather than simply 'felt honored'?

----------
(Source)

 

[tedmc]

a. ... they had felt honored when he recruited them ...

b. ... they felt honored when he recruited them ...

Why is 'had felt honored' used, rather than simply 'felt honored'?

----------

The difference is in the sequence of the two events. The past perfect is used to distinguish something (feeling honoured) that happened earlier than another event (recruitment) in the past, while the simple past tense implies the two events happening at the same time.

 

[kadioguy]

[...] The past perfect is used to distinguish something (feeling honoured) that happened earlier than another event (recruitment) in the past [...].

Practically, is it possible that one has felt honored before they is recruited? Is it like this case:

Tom has an interview next Thursday for a job on that famous company. Whether or not he will get the job, Tom has already felt honored.

 

[tedmc]

Practically, is it possible that one has felt honored before they [STRIKE]is[/STRIKE] are recruited? Is it like this case:

Tom has an interview next Thursday for a job [STRIKE]on[/STRIKE] with that famous company. Whether or not he will get the job, Tom has already felt honored.

This is a good question, but that is what is implied in the text you quoted. I agree with you that the simple past tense should have been used.

 

[kadioguy]

This is a good question, but that is what is implied in the text you quoted.
I agree with you that the simple past tense should have been used.

1.
I found that the pattern of '... had felt honored when (a simple past verb) ...' is not unusual in books:
https://www.google.com/search?q="ha...SGKYKHfEqCHI4ChD8BSgBegQIAhAL&biw=808&bih=434

Maybe native speakers can tell us more about this.
------
2.
Tom has an interview next Thursday for a job on/with that famous company.

As for this 'on', I used it as 'a job on that famous company', while I think that your version with the 'with' is 'an interview ... with that famous company'. They both work but focus on different aspects. ;-)

 

[YAMATO2201]

Why is 'had felt honored' used, rather than simply 'felt honored'?

I would imagine the reference point is the time when they decided to leave Shockley's company.

 

[emsr2d2]

Whether or not he [STRIKE]will[/STRIKE] gets the job, Tom [STRIKE]has[/STRIKE] already [STRIKE]felt[/STRIKE] feels honored.

See above.

 

[GoesStation]

2.
Tom has an interview next Thursday for a job on/with that famous company.

As for this 'on', I used it as 'a job on that famous company', while I think that your version with the 'with' is 'an interview ... with that famous company'. They both work but focus on different aspects. ;-)

No. "On" is not possible there.

 

[kadioguy]

No. "On" is not possible there.

Could you tell me more about that? I referred to a website: https://showmeword.com/definition/english_word/interview

 

[GoesStation]

Could you tell me more about that? I referred to a website: https://showmeword.com/definition/english_word/interview

I suppose you're referring to this sentence from the linked page: He has an interview next Thursday for a job on the Los Angeles Times. I consider "on" incorrect there.

 

[kadioguy]

I suppose you're referring to this sentence from the linked page: He has an interview next Thursday for a job on the Los Angeles Times. I consider "on" incorrect there.

Yes, and could you tell me why?

 

[kadioguy]

See above.

c. Whether or not he gets the job, Tom already feels honored.

d. Whether or not he gets the job, Tom has already felt honored.
-----

I don't know why B doesn't work. Could you tell me about that? :-?

 

[GoesStation]

Yes, and could you tell me why?

You get a job with or working for a company. "On" is the wrong preposition.

 

[jutfrank]

I agree with GoesStation that on is not a good choice of preposition in that sentence. I can only imagine the speaker was thinking something like 'on the editorial team'.

 

[kadioguy]

Thank you all.

If you don't mind, could someone help me with this? I'm still thinking of it. :-?

c. Whether or not he gets the job, Tom already feels honored.

d. Whether or not he gets the job, Tom has already felt honored.
-----

I don't know why B doesn't work. Could you tell me about that?

 

[tedmc]

I think there is no reason to use the present perfect with the present tense.

 

[tedmc]

I wish to add that "feels honoured" implies that it is an "on-going feeling" whereas " has felt honoured" is not necessarily so.