Why had seen?

[Gella]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #92 "Tenses (3)", question 5

He refused to go until he ......... seen all the paintings.

(a) had
(b) was
(c) is
(d) has

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #92 "Tenses (3)", answer 5

He refused to go until he had seen all the paintings.

Correct answer: (a) had
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why had seen?

Gella

[Alan]

Hi Gella,

The best way I can explain this is by saying that the refusing to go (the non going if you like) was after the seeing. His actual words were: I refuse to go until I have seen and this converts in reported speech as: He refused to go until he had seen. Another way is to say: He didn't go until he had seen ..

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Subjunctive