He had never been married before he died vs He has never been married before he died

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "He had never been married before he died" is used when talking about the past, while "he has never been married before he died" is used when talking about a situation that started in the past and continues up to the present.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 828 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a past event.

"He had never been married before he died"

This phrase is used to indicate that at no time before his death had he been married. It is suitable for narrating events that happened in the past.

Examples:

He had never been to Europe before he won the trip.
She had never tasted sushi before she visited Japan.
They had never seen snow before they moved to Canada.
I had never heard that song before I went to the concert.
He had never tried rock climbing before he joined the club.

Show examples from the web [+]

I've never been married before.
Since you've never been married before, we all thought we should have a little chat.
"Never been married before."
You know, just like a real husband. (chuckles) Clearly, you've never been married before.
You've never been married before, not my kind of marriage.
He just transferred here from Northwestern, a professor of entomology... bugs, early 60s, a little on the bald side, but he's never been married before.
Jesus, have you never been married before?
We discovered that he had an extreme allergic reaction before he died.
Tox indicates he had a martini about an hour before he died.
He had me to his house, you know - Delk - right before he died.
He had received several threats and he had never been able to receive any police protection whatsoever.
I've never been married before, and I've been wanting everything to be so perfect that I think I've been acting a little off.
Joxer wishes he had killed her; and I wish she had never been born.
I just... my whole like would be so much better - if he had never been in it.
And according to his case file, he told police he had never been to Reno.
In 1995, he told me specifically that he had never been to Nicaragua.
Mr Papakostas, in fact, had originally declared that he had never been accused of taking drugs.
He had to see something good before he died.
Two days before he died, he had a meeting With the Lincoln City Bank. I called them.
Guys, my grandfather lost that house in the '95 storm, and then he died before he had a chance to rebuild it.

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a situation that started in the past and continues up to the present.

"He has never been married before he died"

This phrase is used to indicate that up to the point of his death, he had never been married. It is suitable for describing ongoing situations that started in the past.

Examples:

He has never been to Asia before he retires.
She has never tried skydiving before she turns 30.
They have never eaten Indian food before they move to London.
I have never seen that movie before it comes out.
He has never traveled alone before he graduates.

Show examples from the web [+]

I've never been married before.
Since you've never been married before, we all thought we should have a little chat.
"Never been married before."
You know, just like a real husband. (chuckles) Clearly, you've never been married before.
You've never been married before, not my kind of marriage.
Reverend Frank has never been married or divorced.
Sometimes I wonder why someone his age has never been married.
He just transferred here from Northwestern, a professor of entomology... bugs, early 60s, a little on the bald side, but he's never been married before.
Jesus, have you never been married before?
His ex-wife's number. I assure you, Mr. Xavier has never been married.
Puddle also said she doesn't know Why Mr. Lunt has never been married After all these years.
He has never been charged with any other crime.
He has never been trained by ninjas.
Imagine, he has never been to Earth.
He has never been confused for Hugh Jackman.
He has never been in prison.
He has never been good with sharing.
He has never been to Okinawa before.
He has never been in the military or arrested.
Actually, Migo, he has never been better.

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He had never been married before he died vs He has never been married before he died

"He had never been married before he died"

"He has never been married before he died"

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