carry a semi truck

Question

A: Do you think a person can carry a semi truck?B: Nobody can unless he had/has 10 arms and 10 legs. That will/would give him the strength of 5 men.Which is correct?Thanks.

Optilang · Accepted Answer

Nobody can unless he has 10 arms and (10) legs. That would give him the strength of 5 men.

Nobody could unless he had 10 arms and (10) legs. That would give him the strength of 5 men.

New2grammar · Answer

I have tried to make sense of this type of construction and I think I've just reached my limit. I have to say I can't accept the first sentence in the first statement. Could you explain why the tense inconsistency between the sentences in the first statement is possible?

Optilang · Answer

Here's how I see it.

Nobody can unless he has 10 arms and (10) legs. - This is a statement which, in any case, is impossible as nobody will have 10 arms and legs.

Nobody can speak another language unless they are prepared to spend the time learning it. (- it is possible that they will spend the necessary time.) They would have to commit to a course of lessons, lasting months, perhaps years.

In your sentences, I read it like this:

Nobody can unless he has 10 arms and (10) legs. (which will never happen)

That (if it were possible, though we know it isn't) would give him the strength of 5 men.

New2grammar · Answer

Thanks, Optilang. One last question, which one of the two you suggested would you use?

Optilang · Answer

Hi

I would use the second one.

carry a semi truck

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