MacFauz wrote:
kimi86 wrote:
Past perfect rule is discussed pretty often but still leaves me confused
Here is a quesion
She PLAYED with her friends when the babysitter ARRIVED.
Can some one please tell me how is this sentense correct. Why are we not using Past Perfect here. This is an examle from MAnhuttan
As per rule it should be:
She HAD BEEN with her friends when the babysitter ARRIVED.
She played with her friends when the babysitter arrived and She had been playing with her friends when the babysitter arrived are both gramatically correct. However, the meaning of each sentence is different.
The first sentence means that she started playing with her friends as soon as the babysitter arrived. For example, this sentence could be used to define a bratty kid whose strict (maybe sadistic..
) babysitter does not allow playing with friends. We could say something like : Jane is very defiant child. Her babysitter has instructed her not to play with her friends but
she played with her friends when the babysitter arrived.The second sentence means to convey the circumstances under which the babysitter arrived. It simply means that she had just finished playing when the babysitter arrived. We could say something like Jane's friends were leaving her home when the baby sitter arrived. So it was apparent that
She had been playing with her friends when the babysitter arrived.
Hi Mac,
As per you explanation, will you please clarify the following example. For me both A and B looks correct. If its not, will you please clarify.
1. A 1972 agreement between Canada and the United States reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump into the Great Lakes.
(A) reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump
(B) reduced the phosphate amount that municipalities had been dumping
(C) reduces the phosphate amount municipalities have been allowed to dump
(D) reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities are allowed to dump
(E) reduces the amount of phosphates allowed for dumping by municipalities
The correct answer is A. This is from 1000 series. Why not B or D ?