Enlightenment,

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 447
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:08 pm
Location: Kolkata,India
Thanked: 7 times
GMAT Score:670

Enlightenment,

by uptowngirl92 » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:25 pm
Not until the Enlightenment, some 200 years ago, had society seriously questioned the right of the state that it could execute its citizens.
(A) had society seriously questioned the right of the state that it could execute
(B) did society seriously questioned the right of the state that it could execute
(C) had society seriously questioned the right of the state for the executing of
(D) did society seriously question the right of the state to execute
(E) had society seriously questioned whether the state had a right that it could execute

Had a problem with this question:(Which one is to be used between had/did?Had indicate a thing happened before something else -- this is clearly marked by until.. so had is correct i guess..

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 1:01 pm
Location: Chicago
Thanked: 7 times

by vinayakdl » Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:28 pm
From what i understand, past perfect tense is to be used when you have two events in past and there is ambiguity as to which took place first, here i dont think we need past perfect. The sentence talks about a time in past when the feelings about execution changed and we there are now two different events to worry about.

After I left my house today morning I met Vishal at the bus stop.

After I had left my house today morning I met Vishal at the bus stop.

"had" helps here but not needed.

Vinayak

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 447
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:08 pm
Location: Kolkata,India
Thanked: 7 times
GMAT Score:670

by uptowngirl92 » Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:57 pm
Thanks:) OA:D