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Rudy Kagawa Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Conditional
I've come across a confusing conditional sentence, which is;
"If I hadn't broken up with Kate last month, I would have been dating her for 2 years."
At first glance, it looks like a typical sentence of "third conditional / conditional type 3" indicating that both the conditional clause and the main clause refer to past time. Thus I assume this sentence implies that last month was supposed to mark the second anniversary, in other words, LAST MONTH was the very second anniversary.
However, I somehow feel like this sentence reads otherwise; it's a sentence of "mixing time references", and so a condition is in the past and the consequences are in the present. I think, in this interpretation, this sentence implies that THIS MONTH / NOW were the second anniversary (if they hadn't broken up)
My question is,
(1) Which interpretation are we supposed to make of the sentence in question?
(2) Would it be grammatically possible to interpret this sentence as "mixing time references"? (What if there is "NOW" at the end of the sentence?)
I'm kind of stuck for an answer right now....
I would appreciate if you guys help me out!!!
Thank you
"If I hadn't broken up with Kate last month, I would have been dating her for 2 years."
At first glance, it looks like a typical sentence of "third conditional / conditional type 3" indicating that both the conditional clause and the main clause refer to past time. Thus I assume this sentence implies that last month was supposed to mark the second anniversary, in other words, LAST MONTH was the very second anniversary.
However, I somehow feel like this sentence reads otherwise; it's a sentence of "mixing time references", and so a condition is in the past and the consequences are in the present. I think, in this interpretation, this sentence implies that THIS MONTH / NOW were the second anniversary (if they hadn't broken up)
My question is,
(1) Which interpretation are we supposed to make of the sentence in question?
(2) Would it be grammatically possible to interpret this sentence as "mixing time references"? (What if there is "NOW" at the end of the sentence?)
I'm kind of stuck for an answer right now....
I would appreciate if you guys help me out!!!
Thank you
Top answer
1-- You can interpret it either way. In a real conversation, the listener would have to ask for confirmation of which was meant. 2-- Yes.
- 1-- You can interpret it either way.
- In a real conversation, the listener would have to ask for confirmation of which was meant.
- 2-- Yes.
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3 Answers
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1-- You can interpret it either way. In a real conversation, the listener would have to ask for confirmation of which was meant.
2-- Yes.
2-- Yes.
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Thank you Mr. Micawber!
Your opinion's helped me a lot!!
Everyone agrees to that?
I'd love to hear some more opinions if i could.
Thank you
Rudy
Your opinion's helped me a lot!!
Everyone agrees to that?
I'd love to hear some more opinions if i could.
Thank you
Rudy
00
It can be understood either mixing time references or not.
My first impulse is to interpret it with a mixed time reference, i.e., with an implied now at the end.
In short, I'm in total agreement with Mr. M.'s response.
CJ
My first impulse is to interpret it with a mixed time reference, i.e., with an implied now at the end.
In short, I'm in total agreement with Mr. M.'s response.
CJ
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