完了時制 -- When do I use them? (part 4)

One common pattern for using past perfect uses a "when" phrase. Look back at the last post on past perfect tense from last week:

http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/when-do-i-use-them-part-3.html

In this case, "when" is a conjunction connecting what looks like two sentences. One style is like this. In the "when" clause, use past tense. It's talking about "past1". In the main clause, use past perfect. It's talking about "past2". For example:

× When I got home tonight, it didn't start raining. <- it sounds like I expected that arriving at home would cause the rain to start... strange...
○ When I got home tonight, it hadn't started raining yet.
× When I opened the bag of eggplants, they spoiled. <- it sounds like they were fine until I opened the bag... strange...
○ When I opened the bag of eggplants, they had already spoiled.

Another style is like this. Use "when" with past perfect to show one action is complete, and that something happened after that. You could also use "after" instead of when. The main clause says what happened after the past perfect verb was completed. Notice that the past tense/past tense version is also OK in this case.

○ When they had finished the work, they took a break.
○ When they finished the work, they took a break.
○ After he had read the book, he wrote a review of it on amazon.com.
○ After he read the book, he wrote a review of it on amazon.com.

When I took this photo, I had already cut the cucumbers and put the red peppers in the container, but I hadn't yet added the vinegar, salt, or sesame oil. I finished adding those things, and then I put the mixture in the refrigerator. After it had been been in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, I took it out and served it.

• 酢 (す) (n) vinegar; (P);
• 黄瓜 (きゅうり) (oK) (n) cucumber;
• 胡麻油 (ごまあぶら) (n) sesame oil;

Take a look at the other posts on past perfect for review.

http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/series-on-using-past-perfect.html
http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/when-do-i-use-them.html
http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/when-do-i-use-them-part-2.html
http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/when-do-i-use-them-part-3.html

I might write more on past perfect tomorrow. Take care!