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Twistedthistle Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
"by now" or "now"
Hi everyone, Would you say the use of "by now" is correct in this sentence?
If i had studied politics, I would be president by now.
I have a sneaking feeling that because*by now* suggests "at some point in the past up until now" that it should be written thusly:
If i had studied politics, I would have been elected president by now. - using the Pres Perfect puts the latter action in the (imaginary) past, thus conforming with the meaning of "by now"
Otherwise, it should be: If i had studied politics, I would be president now. - i.e without the "by." to conform with the present tense of the verb.
Can anyone give me any confirmation on this, or indeed contradict it?
Thanks in advance
TT
If i had studied politics, I would be president by now.
I have a sneaking feeling that because*by now* suggests "at some point in the past up until now" that it should be written thusly:
If i had studied politics, I would have been elected president by now. - using the Pres Perfect puts the latter action in the (imaginary) past, thus conforming with the meaning of "by now"
Otherwise, it should be: If i had studied politics, I would be president now. - i.e without the "by." to conform with the present tense of the verb.
Can anyone give me any confirmation on this, or indeed contradict it?
Thanks in advance
TT
Top answer
twistedthistle have a sneaking feeling that because*by now* suggests "at some point in the past up until now" that it should be written thusly:If i had studied politics, I would have been elected president by now. - using the Pres Perfect puts the latter action in the (imaginary) past, thus conforming with the meaning of "by now" Your logic is good, but it does not follow the practice by many native speakers.
- twistedthistle have a sneaking feeling that because*by now* suggests "at some point in the past up until now" that it should be written thusly:If i had studied politics, I would have been elected president by now.
- - using the Pres Perfect puts the latter action in the (imaginary) past, thus conforming with the meaning of "by now" Your logic is good, but it does not follow the practice by many native speakers.
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3 Answers
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twistedthistle have a sneaking feeling that because*by now* suggests "at some point in the past up until now" that it should be written thusly:If i had studied politics, I would have been elected president by now. - using the Pres Perfect puts the latter action in the (imaginary) past, thus conforming with the meaning of "by now"Your logic is good, but it doe
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Thanks for your reply Mr Micawber, Can i infer from your reply that my original posting, "If i had studied politics, I would be president by now" is (at the most technical level) grammatically incorrect, though commonly used, and that "if i had studied politics, i would be president now" is the truly correct form?
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