why plus-que-parfait and not just imparfait

adrienne h.C1Kwiziq community member

why plus-que-parfait and not just imparfait

Quand j'étais en vacances au bord de la mer, j'ai eu l'opportunité d'aller faire de l'équitation sur la plage. J'avais toujours eu envie de le faire...

I'd like some help understanding why plus-que-parfait is used in the second sentence.  Is it because the desire to ride horseback on the beach is before the also past action of having had the opportunity to do so?  I think the English translation was "I had always wanted to do it" and my brain wasn't able to place this as a past feeling-before-a-past action!  So tricky...

Asked 1 year ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Adrienne, you don’t need any help as you have understood it perfectly ! 

Well before she ever got to the beach, she had the longing to ride a horse on a beach. The time sequence is confirmed by using plus-que parfait as you note. That wish was finally fulfilled during the holiday she is describing. 

why plus-que-parfait and not just imparfait

Quand j'étais en vacances au bord de la mer, j'ai eu l'opportunité d'aller faire de l'équitation sur la plage. J'avais toujours eu envie de le faire...

I'd like some help understanding why plus-que-parfait is used in the second sentence.  Is it because the desire to ride horseback on the beach is before the also past action of having had the opportunity to do so?  I think the English translation was "I had always wanted to do it" and my brain wasn't able to place this as a past feeling-before-a-past action!  So tricky...

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