Rotter Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Had uncovered or uncovered
Switzerland is to replace all the staff at its embassy in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, following an investigation into visa applications.
The investigation found that some applicants had been able to obtain visas under false pretences.
The foreign ministry said it had uncovered poor organisation and a failure to comply with regulations, but found no evidence of crimes by staff.
The visa section will be closed until staffing is reorganised.
The ministry said the investigation had been set up to establish whether the visa section was effectively organised and whether Swiss employees were involved in human trafficking.
Two Pakistani employees of the embassy had previously been accused of such activities.
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The foreign ministry said it had uncovered poor organisation and ...
My question is on the above sentence. Is it necessary to write 'it had uncovered' in the given context?
You could just write 'it uncovered' too.
Your comments please.
The investigation found that some applicants had been able to obtain visas under false pretences.
The foreign ministry said it had uncovered poor organisation and a failure to comply with regulations, but found no evidence of crimes by staff.
The visa section will be closed until staffing is reorganised.
The ministry said the investigation had been set up to establish whether the visa section was effectively organised and whether Swiss employees were involved in human trafficking.
Two Pakistani employees of the embassy had previously been accused of such activities.
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The foreign ministry said it had uncovered poor organisation and ...
My question is on the above sentence. Is it necessary to write 'it had uncovered' in the given context?
You could just write 'it uncovered' too.
Your comments please.
Top answer
The foreign ministry said it had uncovered poor organisation and a failure to comply with regulations, but had found no evidence of crimes by staff. g. Tense Simplification in Swan, Practical English Usage).
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The foreign ministry said it had uncovered poor organisation and a failure to comply with regulations, but had found no evidence of crimes by staff.
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I think using the past perfect makes much more clear the time sequence:
you first discover and find evidence
then
publish (indicated by said)
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I think using the past perfect makes much more clear the time sequence:
you first discover and find evidence
then
publish (indicated by said)
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Rotter I can't take in your point.you can't accept it, or understand it?
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Thanks Marius again.
When I can't understand, I am used to saying 'I can't take in'.
I think the phrasal verb 'take something in' means understand. I may be wrong.
When I can't understand, I am used to saying 'I can't take in'.
I think the phrasal verb 'take something in' means understand. I may be wrong.
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Rotter When I can't understand, I am used to saying 'I can't take in'.No, you used it correctly, but I wanted to make sure.
I think the phrasal verb 'take something in' means understand. I may be wrong.
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What I wanted to say in the above on:
The foreign ministry said it had uncovered poor organisation and a failure to comply with regulations, but had found no evidence of crimes by staff.
is that the activity/event of
uncovering/discovering poor organization
preceded the time when the ministry announced/said
The foreign ministry said it had uncovered poor organisation and a failure to comply with regulations, but had found no evidence of crimes by staff.
is that the activity/event of
uncovering/discovering poor organization
preceded the time when the ministry announced/said
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