[stylist] Returning to the Past (Perfect)

[Donna Hill]

Hi Neil,
I think it is a mistake to avoid using the past perfect as it is the 
quickest way to get the point across that the subsequent information 
occurred at a time previous to the past that the writer is writing in. I 
think when this came  up before, we discussed the modern practice of 
using the past perfect initially when the time focus changes and then 
reverting to the simple past. That's what I do, and it seems to be 
common in what I read. Dropping it entirely strikes me as misinformed.
Donna

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On 6/23/2010 12:16 PM, Neil Butters wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Today's daily writing tip, at www.dailywritingtips.com/, addresses the use of the past perfect. Seems the rules for its use are loose. Modern writers tend not to use it much because excessive "hads" can bog down the writing.
>
> Neil
>
>
>
>
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