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when he arrived she already left vs when he arrived she had already left

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "When he arrived she already left" is used in informal speech, while "When he arrived she had already left" is more formal and grammatically correct. The use of the past perfect tense in the second phrase provides a clearer sequence of events.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

when he arrived she already left

This phrase is correct in informal speech, but it lacks the past perfect tense.

This phrase is commonly used in informal contexts to describe past events, but it may sound less formal compared to the alternative.

Examples:

  • I wanted to meet her, but when I arrived she already left.
  • He missed the bus because when he arrived it already left.
  • Only when he arrived did Grandma become suspicious.
  • Your son was dead when he arrived here.
  • When he arrived, I had just sung that number.
  • When he arrived, looks like our sniper drilled him between the shoulders.
  • But it's nothing compared to his fits of anger when he arrived.
  • This was with Legadus, saw when he arrived.
  • Your raft was already on fire when he arrived.
  • Grace had no intention of going with her father when he arrived.
  • That's why Cardassians were chasing Tahna Los when he arrived.
  • He didn't want to talk to Sisko when he arrived.
  • When he arrived at her shack, she was already dead.
  • When he arrived, I made coffee.
  • Custodian found the body when he arrived for work this morning.
  • It would explain why your recent lapses in concentration started when he arrived.
  • He had that when he arrived.
  • I had just finished pouring myself a glass of wine when he arrived.
  • Dan practically ran the other way when he arrived.
  • He found his wife's body when he arrived home later that night.
  • But Mr. Goldstein requested that in his office when he arrived.
  • Nick was gone when he arrived on the scene, and I told him it's on me.

Alternatives:

  • when he arrived she had already left
  • when he arrived, she was already gone
  • she had already left by the time he arrived
  • she left before he arrived
  • she was gone when he arrived

when he arrived she had already left

This phrase is grammatically correct and provides a clearer sequence of events using the past perfect tense.

This phrase is more formal and grammatically correct. It is commonly used in written English and formal speech to indicate an action that occurred before another action in the past.

Examples:

  • When he arrived, she had already left for the airport.
  • By the time he got there, she had already left the party.
  • He was afraid she had already left. Jim thought...
  • - that she had already left for the airport.
  • I'm the Carmines' niece and when I got here, she had already left.
  • Only when he arrived did Grandma become suspicious.
  • Your son was dead when he arrived here.
  • When he arrived, I had just sung that number.
  • When he arrived, looks like our sniper drilled him between the shoulders.
  • But it's nothing compared to his fits of anger when he arrived.
  • This was with Legadus, saw when he arrived.
  • Your raft was already on fire when he arrived.
  • Grace had no intention of going with her father when he arrived.
  • That's why Cardassians were chasing Tahna Los when he arrived.
  • He didn't want to talk to Sisko when he arrived.
  • When he arrived at her shack, she was already dead.
  • When he arrived, I made coffee.
  • Custodian found the body when he arrived for work this morning.
  • It would explain why your recent lapses in concentration started when he arrived.
  • He had that when he arrived.
  • I had just finished pouring myself a glass of wine when he arrived.
  • Dan practically ran the other way when he arrived.

Alternatives:

  • when he arrived she already left
  • when he arrived, she was already gone
  • she had already left by the time he arrived
  • she left before he arrived
  • she was gone when he arrived

Related Comparisons

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