BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Past Perfect OR Simple Past (MGMAT Experts please clarify)

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 am
Thanked: 105 times
Followed by:14 members

Past Perfect OR Simple Past (MGMAT Experts please clarify)

by vikram4689 » Sat Apr 14, 2012 3:39 am
Though he had had success broadcasting his controversial radio program on highly regulated terrestrial airwaves, Howard Stern opted out of terrestrial broadcasting in favor of the less regulated satellite radio medium.
a. Though he had had
b. Though he has had
c. Even though he had
d. Having had
e. Having achieved

Why C is incorrect
[spoiler]We use Past perfect when we want to show a transition from one time frame to another frame
e.g.Before you asked me to stop him, Howard had left for the meeting... here we want to show transition to show act of leaving happened first.

BUT in the question we are stating a fact then why we need Past Perfect, PAST tense should suffice. Consider following sentences, do you think there is any error in these...
a/ Though he was successful in engineering, Howard chose consulting as a career
b/ Though he had success in engineering, Howard chose consulting as a career[/spoiler]
Last edited by vikram4689 on Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:01 am, edited 4 times in total.
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 489
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:10 am
Thanked: 28 times
Followed by:5 members

by gmatblood » Sat Apr 14, 2012 3:41 am
IMO: A
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 am
Thanked: 105 times
Followed by:14 members

by vikram4689 » Sat Apr 14, 2012 4:04 am
Check out the spoiler...
One instance from OG where Past Perfect Tense is not required because we want to state a FACT. https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sal ... t5617.html For ques in link OA is A and difference b/w A and B is Past Perfect and Past Tense
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1239
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:25 am
Thanked: 233 times
Followed by:26 members
GMAT Score:680

by sam2304 » Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:16 am
Check this explanation. Hope it helps !!

https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sc- ... 10137.html
Getting defeated is just a temporary notion, giving it up is what makes it permanent.
https://gmatandbeyond.blogspot.in/
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 am
Thanked: 105 times
Followed by:14 members

by vikram4689 » Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:45 am
sam2304 wrote:Check this explanation. Hope it helps !!

https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sc- ... 10137.html
Thanks Sam. Most of the discussion in the link revolves around understanding how "had had" is a valid construction. Although i do understand the construction, i am doubtful of using it for question in in hand. Please refer to my 2 examples in spoiler and OG ques at https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sal ... t5617.html
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 am
Thanked: 105 times
Followed by:14 members

by vikram4689 » Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:05 am
Anyone who would like to give it a shot !
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1239
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:25 am
Thanked: 233 times
Followed by:26 members
GMAT Score:680

by sam2304 » Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:50 am
Past perfect is used when we are unsure of the time frame - as in to bring importance to which event occurred first and got completed.

In the actual question past perfect is used because Howard switched after he attained success in X. In your example success in engineering indicate completion of course otherwise he is a failure and choosing a career comes after that so we don't need the past perfect tense here. Both the sentences are right as per my understanding and it may go wrong as well, so wait for some experts to clarify. :)
Getting defeated is just a temporary notion, giving it up is what makes it permanent.
https://gmatandbeyond.blogspot.in/
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:28 am
vikram4689 wrote:Though he had had success broadcasting his controversial radio program on highly regulated terrestrial airwaves, Howard Stern opted out of terrestrial broadcasting in favor of the less regulated satellite radio medium.
a. Though he had had
b. Though he has had
c. Even though he had
d. Having had
e. Having achieved
If both verbs (had and opted) are in the same tense, the implication is that Howard Stern was BROADCASTING his program on the terrestrial airwaves at the same time as he OPTED OUT of terrestrial broadcasting -- a nonsensical meaning.
The past perfect in A (had had) makes the sequence of events clear.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 am
Thanked: 105 times
Followed by:14 members

by vikram4689 » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:10 am
Thanks Mitch i got the gist and the meaning of examples i formed
a/ Though he was successful in engineering, Howard chose consulting as a career
b/ Though he had success in engineering, Howard chose consulting as a career
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1