对于过去完成时的一点理解

Mrs. Richards realized that it must be the man from the Electricity Board who had come to read the meter.

question:

在修饰the man from the Electricity Board的定语从句中, 为什么要用过去完成时?

答: 

∵  宾语从句中的时态受主句限制,

又 情态动词must无过去时态,

∴ 在realized引导的宾语从句中, 用must修饰be.

∵ 主句中谓语动词的时态为一般过去时, 

又 come to read the meter这个动作发生在realized之前,

∴ 用过去完成时修饰come to read the meter这个动作.

(例句摘自 新概念英语3 Lesson 13 It's only me)