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Sb70012 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Because we didn't leave home earlier, we have missed the first part of the play.

.......home earlier, we wouldn’t have missed the first part of the play.
a)We had left
b)If we left
c)Had we left (Answer Key)
d)Had we not been

Source: school exam

Hello,
I say to myself that B is also correct. This is my analysis:

If we left home earlier = we didn't leave home earlier
we wouldn't have missed the first part of the play = we have missed the first part of the play

So => Because we didn't leave home earlier, we have missed the first part of the play.


Why can't B work?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

B would be correct if it was "if we had left" It is counterfactual. "If we left" can be used as a hypothetical proposition before a future event. The play starts at 8:00.

— AlpheccaStars

  • B would be correct if it was "if we had left" It is counterfactual.
  • "If we left" can be used as a hypothetical proposition before a future event.
  • The play starts at 8:00.
  • A: Let's leave at 7:00.
  • B: If we left a half-hour earlier, we could grab a snack before the play starts.
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2 Answers
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B would be correct if it was "if we had left"
It is counterfactual.
"If we left" can be used as a hypothetical proposition before a future event.

The play starts at 8:00.
A: Let's leave at 7:00.
B: If we left a half-hour earlier, we could grab a snack before the play starts.
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sb70012Why can't B work?
I've heard people use that grammatical pattern, and they probably do it because we so often substitute the past for the past perfect. Nevertheless, it is not careful English, and careful English is normally expected in an exam setting.

CJ
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