BB test error ID question

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1

<p>In the past, the small nation had been committed to self-managed socialism, a system under which the workers, rather than the state, owns most enterprises.</p>

<p>I know that the problem is owns, should be own, but i'm confused about "had been committed". The CB explanation was : There is no error at (A). The past perfect tense of the verb "had been committed" correctly indicates a time prior to another specific time in the past.</p>

<p>What two times in the past are being compared?</p>

<p>thanx in advance</p>

2

<p>I actually thought that "owns" has to be changed to "owned" because of the reference of "In the past".</p>

<p>I'm quite confused as to why there's no error (according to CB).</p>

3

<p>The error's at D.
Also, i think it shouldn't be "owned" cuz its part of a modifier of "self-managed socialism"</p>

<p>anybody else on the past vs. past perfect in this sentence</p>

4

<p>Yeah, it should be owned instead of owns, so it's D. I'm not sure why, but I think it's because it's talking about it "In the past", and it just sounds right?</p>

5

<p>i dont kno if this is answerring your question but "workers rather than the state" shows its comparing the two from each other...correct me if im wrong tho :)</p>

6

<p>I think that while "the small nation WAS COMMITTED..." is correct, "the small nation HAD BEEN COMMITTED..." is also correct. Of the two tenses being compared for past perfect, one is clearly the "In the past...", but the other might have been mentioned before or after this sentence. For example, if the sentence was taken out of context like this (I'm making this up):</p>

<p>"[[[[In the past, the small nation had been committed to self-managed socialism, a system under which the workers, rather than the state, owns most enterprises.]]]] But later, in the 1800s, Emperor Blahblah ascended the thrown and power was returned to the state, sending the kingdom into an era of darkness."</p>

<p>Does that make sense?</p>