When do we use 'had' and when do don't

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When do we use 'had' and when do don't

by abcgmat » Fri Oct 07, 2011 1:55 am
I am confused when sometimes it is said when the time is clear we donot have to use 'had',
but sometimes we use 'had' even if we know the time period. Can someone explain referring to 2 questions below how it can be solved without confusion

1. Despite the influx of international aid to a particularly war-torn region of East Africa during the waning months of 2006, in early 2007, many indigenous people unable to find food left their home to travel west where other tribal groups historically experienced less difficulties producing food, water, and land.
A) their home to travel west where other tribal groups historically experienced less difficulties
B) home to travel west where other tribal groups historically experienced fewer difficulties
C) their home to travel west where other tribal groups historically experienced fewer difficulties
D) home to travel west in search of other tribal groups who historically had experienced fewer difficulties
E) home to travel west where other tribal groups historically had experienced fewer difficulties


1.E
In E ,historically says it happened in past and clear about time...so do we still need to use 'had'

and without 'had' it is incorrect

And in below question ' In his earlier days...' clearly mentions the time, so it is said that we do not need to mention 'had' . :(

2: E

2. The first United States Solicitor General, Benjamin H. Bristow, born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry.
A) born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
B) was born in 1832 and had served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel
C) born in 1832 and appointee in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1875. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
D) was born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
E) was born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by navami » Fri Oct 07, 2011 2:47 am
1. Despite the influx of international aid to a particularly war-torn region of East Africa during the waning months of 2006, in early 2007, many indigenous people unable to find food left their home to travel west where other tribal groups historically experienced less difficulties producing food, water, and land.
A) their home to travel west where other tribal groups historically experienced less difficulties
B) home to travel west where other tribal groups historically experienced fewer difficulties
C) their home to travel west where other tribal groups historically experienced fewer difficulties
D) home to travel west in search of other tribal groups who historically had experienced fewer difficulties
E) home to travel west where other tribal groups historically had experienced fewer difficulties

The difficulties are countable hence FEW is the correct word. We strike down Option A.
Option C : Their Home is redundant , only HOME can convey the meaning. Lets move on.
Now left out with option B / D / E

Option D changes the meaning. It incorrectly says that they left home "in search of other tribal groups"

Now option B and E. only visible difference is HAD.
E clearly maintains the time line with the usage of HAD here. B suggests that they have occurred in the same time frame.
hence E
This time no looking back!!!
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by navami » Fri Oct 07, 2011 2:50 am
2. The first United States Solicitor General, Benjamin H. Bristow, born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry.
A) born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
B) was born in 1832 and had served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel
C) born in 1832 and appointee in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1875. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
D) was born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
E) was born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry


Option B and E are close. B has less information than the original sentence hence we may move on to option E.
Option E avoids the usage of HAD as the sentence "Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry" talks about only one event .
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by abcgmat » Fri Oct 07, 2011 5:39 am
Thanks Navam for the Reply, but I am still stuck
1.Does historically not convey that it was the first incident
So is B not OK
2.For Q2, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel before he served in the Grant administration

Is it because when two events are mentioned in single sentence we have to use 'Had'
If there are in different sentences we dont have to use 'had'

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by navami » Sat Oct 08, 2011 1:18 am
Your understanding on Q.2 is perfect.

and regarding Q.1 -- you are again bang on target "historically' tells that this is the first event and hence USAGE of "HAD" is safe. We know where to use "HAD". Now check the option E, HAD is placed in the correct part.
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by abcgmat » Sun Oct 09, 2011 1:40 am
Thanks Navami, Now I understand better

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by Jim@Grockit » Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:43 am
The past perfect tense (the "had" tense") is always correct for time prior to a past-tense main verb; it is necessary when you have a time sequence in a past-tense sentence without any time-indicating modifiers.

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