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Seagull Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

A third conditional sentence

Regarding the following sentence:

A wise person would not have answered instantly.

How does this sentence sound to native speakers? I came up with two interpretations to it. What do you think of each of these? Besides, how would you explain it to nonnative speakers?

(A) Someone made an instant answer to a question carelessly. But it was actually a very complicated matter, so s/he should not have done it. If s/he were a wise person, s/he would not have answered instantly.

(B) No one there came up the answer, and there was silence. Actually, the problem they were facing was very complicated, so it could not be helped. Even if a wise person would not have answered instantly.
  

Top answer

seagull I came up with two interpretations to it. Notice that only (A) uses it in the same form. (B) requires 'even' also.

— Mister Micawber

  • seagull I came up with two interpretations to it.
  • Notice that only (A) uses it in the same form.
  • (B) requires 'even' also.
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11 Answers
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seagull I came up with two interpretations to it.
Notice that only (A) uses it in the same form. (B) requires 'even' also.
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Thank you so much, Mister Micawber.

I'm sorry for my careless mistake.

Please allow me to ask a couple of questions.

1. Is the interpretation (A) fine?

2. Does the sentence "Even a wise person would not have answered instantly" sound natural in a case like I described in (B)?

3. "Does the sentence "A wise person would not have answered instantly" sound
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seagull1. Is the interpretation (A) fine?
I don't like the term 'interpretation'. It is one context or scenario, yes.
seagull2. Does the sentence "Even a wise person would not have answered instantly" sound natural in a case like I described in (B)?
Yes, with the caveat above.
seagull3. "Does the sen
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Thank you very much for your answers, Mister Micawber.
Also, many thanks for your advice. I'll keep it in mind.
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Please allow me to ask a couple of similar questions to the ones I posted yesterday.

Regarding the following two sentences (1) and (2):

(1) A wise person would not have acted that way.

(a) I think he acted in the wrong way at that time. If he were a wise person, he would not have acted that way.

(b) I think he could not help acting that way at that time. Ev
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seagullPlease allow me to ask a couple of similar questions to the ones I posted yesterday
Of course, but please ask related questions on the same thread instead of starting a new thread. I have joined your two threads.
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Mister Micawber please ask related questions on the same thread instead of starting a new thread.
I understand.
I'll make sure not to do it again.
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seagullWhich scenario, (a) or (b), is likely for each of the two sentences? Also, please tell me which scenario is absolutely unlikely.
The point being made is that 'he' acted otherwise. #1 says that he acted otherwise than do wise persons; #2 says that he acted otherwise than do wise and unwise persons.
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Thank you very much indeed, Mister Micawber, for your kindness and patience.

Under your instructions, I made two groups of sentences concerning this problem. I meant that the sentences in each group say the same things in terms of facts and logic. Do I get the point?

Group 1

As he is not a wise person, he acted that way.

If he were a wise person, he would
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seagull. I meant that the sentences in each group say the same things in terms of facts and logic.
They do, indeed.
seagull. Do I get the point?
I think so.
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