grammar question

[thanakorns]

<p>The editor had intended to invite you and me to write his paper; however, because of space constraints, only one of us can submit an article. </p>

<p>I am baffled by the usage of past perfect tense in “had intended.” Shouldn’t it be in present perfect tense so that it would be parallel with the word “can”.</p>

[seasick]

<p>There’s a deliberate tense shift between the clauses. I don’t think “has intended” would make sense here, since that would imply the intention is still continuing, but the sentence clearly indicates that the editor no longer intends to invite the two.</p>