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IanKCH Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Conditional Sentence (Wish)
Hi,
I came across this question while doing an exercise.
Q. However, I was only accepted into Business School in another state.
I wished ____________ a nearby college, but that wasn't possible.
A: (a) to attend
(b) I could attend
(c) I could have attended
The answer given was (c). I am wondering why (b) isn't the answer.
If "I could have attended" was used, it would suggest that I have already gone to college at the point I made the wish. However, since at the point I made that wish, I haven't gone to college, isn't it more apt to say "I could attend"?
Also, I would like to ask if I use "to attend" instead of "could attend", does it mean the possibility of the wish happening is greater?
I came across this question while doing an exercise.
Q. However, I was only accepted into Business School in another state.
I wished ____________ a nearby college, but that wasn't possible.
A: (a) to attend
(b) I could attend
(c) I could have attended
The answer given was (c). I am wondering why (b) isn't the answer.
If "I could have attended" was used, it would suggest that I have already gone to college at the point I made the wish. However, since at the point I made that wish, I haven't gone to college, isn't it more apt to say "I could attend"?
Also, I would like to ask if I use "to attend" instead of "could attend", does it mean the possibility of the wish happening is greater?
Top answer
If you you use B you will be mixing your tenses I wished - past I could attend - present I could have attended - past. It has nothing to do with the wishing being a stronger or lesser urge.
- If you you use B you will be mixing your tenses I wished - past I could attend - present I could have attended - past.
- It has nothing to do with the wishing being a stronger or lesser urge.
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5 Answers
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If you you use B you will be mixing your tenses
I wished - past
I could attend - present
I could have attended - past.
It has nothing to do with the wishing being a stronger or lesser urge.
I wished - past
I could attend - present
I could have attended - past.
It has nothing to do with the wishing being a stronger or lesser urge.
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The sentence starts with "I wished" = past tense what follows must be in the same tense.
"Could have" is used when you want to speak about an opportunity in the past, therefore that's the answer.
"Could have" is used when you want to speak about an opportunity in the past, therefore that's the answer.
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As opposed to real, true events/actions (past and present tense verbs), the modals deal with hypothetical situations.
Look at this sentence:
"I wish I could go with you to the rock concert."
I am speaking NOW, and there is a period of uncertainty - the hypothetical 'will he go/won't he go) up until the night of the concert. Once the concert is over, whether or not
Look at this sentence:
"I wish I could go with you to the rock concert."
I am speaking NOW, and there is a period of uncertainty - the hypothetical 'will he go/won't he go) up until the night of the concert. Once the concert is over, whether or not
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Thanks! I get it now! Since the event is over and has been decided, I can't use "could attend" anymore.
But what's the difference between saying "I could attend" and "to attend"?
Eg. "I wish I could attend the concert."
"I wish to attend the concert."
What's the difference between the two? A difference in probability?
But what's the difference between saying "I could attend" and "to attend"?
Eg. "I wish I could attend the concert."
"I wish to attend the concert."
What's the difference between the two? A difference in probability?
00
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