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Teleostomi Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

A sentence in which if-clause is not subjunctive

With the explosion of telecommunications in our modern world, we now have more TV channels than ever before, including some which broadcast only news, 24 hours a day, from all corners of the planet. In the not-too-distant past, if a boy in Hokkaido killed his parents, it would have been big news in his area but probably not in Kyushu. By contrast, now such a crime would surely be reported nationwide and perhaps in some other countries, as well.


(1) if a boy had killed his parents, it would have been big news
(2) if a boy killed his parents, it would have been big news

Which would be better? Don't you think (2) isn't consistent in that the main clause is subctive but the if-clause is not.
  

Top answer

Teleostomi With the explosion of telecommunications in our modern world, we now have more TV channels than ever before, including some which broadcast only news, 24 hours a day, from all corners of the planet. In the not-too-distant past, if a boy in Hokkaido killed his parents , it would have been big news in his area but probably not in Kyushu. By contrast, now such a crime would surely be reported nationwide and perhaps in some other countries, as well.

— Philip

  • Teleostomi With the explosion of telecommunications in our modern world, we now have more TV channels than ever before, including some which broadcast only news, 24 hours a day, from all corners of the planet.
  • In the not-too-distant past, if a boy in Hokkaido killed his parents , it would have been big news in his area but probably not in Kyushu.
  • By contrast, now such a crime would surely be reported nationwide and perhaps in some other countries, as well.
  • (1) if a boy had killed his parents, it would have been big news Correct.
  • (2) if a boy killed his parents, it would have been big news Which would be better?
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3 Answers
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Teleostomi
With the explosion of telecommunications in our modern world, we now have more TV channels than ever before, including some which broadcast only news, 24 hours a day, from all corners of the planet. In the not-too-distant past, if a boy in Hokkaido killed his parents, it would have been big ne
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You may want to see the discussion on the examples 1 and 2 here:

http://thegrammarexchange.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/340600179/m/6841068324

In this case, I think only 1 works, because "killing" must precede "the news," and a past perfect provides tha
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My dear mentors, I don't think (2) is wrong if the sentence was written with the omitted clause that is consistent with the if-clause.

(2) if a boy killed his parents, it would be big news; but it would have been big news.
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