Nasa launched GP-B on 20 April, 2004, but it started funding the mission...

Question

Nasa launched GP-B on 20 April, 2004, but it started funding the mission concept in 1963, long before Neil Armstrong had stepped on the Moon.What I know is we use past perfect after after, so shouldn't have it been like that:Nasa launched GP-B on 20 April, 2004, but it had started funding the mission concept in 1963, long before Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Volcano1985
Nasa launched GP-B on 20 April, 2004, but it started funding the mission concept in 1963, long before Neil Armstrong had stepped on the Moon.

What I know is we use past perfect after after, so shouldn't have it been like that:

Nasa launched GP-B on 20 April, 2004, but it had started funding the mission concept in 1963, long before Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon.

You're right. It's strange. The point of reference is the launch, and both the start of funding and Armstrong's trip to the moon occurred before the reference point, so I think I might use the past perfect for both of those clauses.

Nasa launched GP-B on 20 April, 2004, but it had started funding the mission concept in 1963, long before Neil Armstrong had stepped on the Moon.

Your solution is also acceptable.

However, there is no device in English grammar for showing the time sequence for three events, that is, no past past perfect, so you cannot have ... had had started funding ... before ... had stepped ...!

CJ

Nasa launched GP-B on 20 April, 2004, but it started funding the mission...

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