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sequence of tenses - Usage of Past Perfect or Past Simple


Is it correct to say: He knew the answer to the question because he studied really hard or should it be: He knew the answer to the question because he had studied really hard? Or maybe both are correct? Thank you in advance!



Answer



I have a very similar take on this to others but I think my answer comes from a slightly different angle.


As a native speaker I understand the meanings instinctively without analysing the grammar. My automatic understanding was as follows:



He knew the answer to the question because he had studied really hard.



Technically this could be interpreted in different ways but my immediate thought was,


"He knew the answer to the question because he had studied really hard for this test."



He knew the answer to the question because he studied really hard.



The most obvious meaning for me is:


"He knew the answer to the question because he customarily studied really hard."


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