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Are these two sentences both correct? What is the different meaning between them?
1) The Karen had been sailing in a convoy to Russia WHEN she was torpedoed by an enemy submarine. (from a textbook)
2) The Karen was torpedoed by an enemy submarine WHEN she had been sailing in a convoy to Russia. (transformed by myself :)
Was the former 'when' used the same as the latter one?
Jan 31, 2017 12:56 PM
Answers · 2
We use the 'Past Perfect' clause - had been sailing - first because it's the first action and gives the reader the necessary background information. As a second clause we wouldn't use the past perfect but rather past continuous.
"The Karen was torpedoed by an enemy submarine WHEN/WHILE she was sailing in a convoy to Russia."
Past perfect is used for emphasis about what was happening, if that is not necessary than past continuous is better.
Hope that helps
Andrew
January 31, 2017
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