Can we say simpler

Question

Hello, can we say simpler without changing the meaning?

Grammar book sentences:

Were Clare's friends still living in Brussles, she would have been able to stay with them. I would say Were Clare's friends still living in Brussles, she would be able to stay with them.

Is my version correct?

Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
can we say this in a simpler way without changing the meaning?

Grammar book sentences:

Were Clare's friends still living in Brussels, she would have been able to stay with them. I would say Were Clare's friends still living in Brussles, she would be able to stay with them.

Is my version correct? No.
The perfect tense in the original suggests that this was a hypothetical possibility in the past, ie that Clare has now made arrangements to stay with someone else.

Your version suggests that it is still a hypothetical possibility, ie that she has not made arrangements to stay with anyone else.

A still simpler version is If Clare's friends were still living in Brussels, she could have stayed with them.

Best wishes, Clive

RayH · Answer

olga55Hello, can we say simpler without changing the meaning?

Grammar book sentences:

Were Clare's friends still living in Brussles, she would have been able to stay with them. I would say Were Clare's friends still living in Brussles, she would be able to stay with them.

Is my version correct?

Thank you.

It depends on the context. If the event in question occurred in the past (say the trip is being discussed several months after the fact) then the first version is correct. If the event is happening now (the trip in in progress or about to start) then your version is correct.

Olga55 · Answer

Thank you very much <img src="http://www.EnglishForward.com/emoticons/emotion-1.gif"/>

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