Dear Dr English
In the magazine of the Language Key, the issue of September 2000, on the attached page 11, Correct These Errors, the correct answer to number 9 is ‘we can do this work, but it will take much longer than we had expected.’
I understand the grammar of the incorrect modal verb ‘may’ used here instead of 'can', but I couldn’t work out the grammar of the past perfect tense (had expected) at the end of this sentence.
Is it possible to use the present perfect tense of ‘have expected’ to replace this past perfect tense?
I would be very grateful if you could help me with it.
Best regards
Kennie