Select the correct option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If no substitution is required, select 'No substitution'.
The train left before I reached the station.
- Aleft before I had reached
- Bhad left before I reached
- Cleft before I have reached
- DNo substitution
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
When two actions happen in the past, the action that took place first is expressed in the past perfect tense (had+V
3
), and the subsequent action is expressed in the simple past tense (V
2
).
In this sentence, the train's departure happened before the speaker reached the station. Therefore, "The train had left" (first action) should be in the past perfect tense, and "before I reached" (second action) should be in the simple past tense. Thus, the correct phrase is "had left before I reached".
3
), and the subsequent action is expressed in the simple past tense (V
2
).
In this sentence, the train's departure happened before the speaker reached the station. Therefore, "The train had left" (first action) should be in the past perfect tense, and "before I reached" (second action) should be in the simple past tense. Thus, the correct phrase is "had left before I reached".