Question

Choose the correct sentence.

• A. By the time we reached the station, the train left.
• B. By the time we reached the station, the train had left.
• C. By the time we had reached the station, the train leaves.
• D. By the time we reached the station, the train has left.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. By the time we reached the station, the train had left.

• The sentence describes two actions that happened in the past.

• Reached is in the simple past tense, while had left is in the past perfect tense.

• The past perfect tense (had + past participle) is used for the action that occurred first.

• The train left before we reached the station. Therefore, had left is the correct choice.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• Left does not clearly indicate which of the two past actions happened first.

• Leaves is in the simple present tense and does not fit the past-time context.

• Has left is in the present perfect tense, which is unsuitable for this past-time sequence.