OA is D.As we are referring to two actions in the past, shouldnt it be had caused in the OA D.
Because the 2009 swine flu was caused by the H1N1 virus – the same strain of influenza that had caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic – was why researchers were convinced that it had the potential of killing many millions of people, especially children and the elderly.
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Because the 2009 swine flu was caused by the H1N1 virus – the same strain of influenza that had caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic – was why researchers were convinced that it had the potential of killing many millions of people, especially children and the elderly | |
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Caused by the H1N1 virus, the same strain of influenza that caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic, researchers were convinced that the 2009 swine flu could potentially kill many millions of people, and in particular children and the elderly | |
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The H1N1 virus, the same strain of influenza caused the massive flu pandemic of 1918, also caused the 2009 swine flu; therefore, researchers were convinced that it had the potential of killing many millions of people, children and the elderly included | |
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Because the 2009 swine flu was caused by the H1N1 virus – the same strain of influenza that caused the massive flu pandemic of 1918 – researchers were convinced that it had the potential to kill many millions of people, particularly children and the elderly | |
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Researchers were convinced that the 2009 swine flu – which could potentially cause the killing of millions of people, including children and the elderly – was caused by the H1N1 virus, the same strain of influenza that had caused the massive flu pandemic of 1918 |
the massive flu of pandemic ocurred before the swine flu in 2009. so wont it be had caused?
Vihar
When two actions occur in the past, “had” is used for the action that occurred first whereas simple past is used for the latest action. Such usage establishes the chronology of events. (Chronology indicates the order of occurence of two past actions. Chronology eliminates the confusion about which of the two past actions took place first)
In the given sentence, chronology is already established by the usage of point of time: years 1918, 2009. Thus there is no confusion about which action took place first. Clearly, the action that took place in 1918 occurred first. Hence simple past can be used for the action that happened in 1918.
Similar examples
By the time I reached the station, the train had already left – Correct
Before I reached the station, the train already left – Correct
Before I reached the station, the train had already left – Correct
I reached the station after the train left – Correct
I reached the station after the train had left – Correct
Admin
Can you please confirm that the above examples hold true on GMAT as well
in the second example had can be used/ cannot be used before already as the chronology is indicated by before.
Hi Sandeep,
The examples do hold true on the GMAT
vihar.b.desai@gmail.com
the massive flu of pandemic occurred in 1918 before the swine flu in 2009. shouldnt it be had caused in opton D as we are referring to two actions in the past.