0
LeGion12359 Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Conditional Sentences

1. If I were you, I would have slapped his face.
2. If I had been you, I would have slapped his face.
Is the first sentence grammatical? Moreover, what's the difference between both sentences in terms of meaning?
  

Top answer

#2 is correct, an example of the 3rd level conditional. I would slap his face".

— Philip

  • #2 is correct, an example of the 3rd level conditional.
  • I would slap his face".
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
#2 is correct, an example of the 3rd level conditional. (I wasn't you, and I didn't slap his face.) #1 is starting as a 2nd level conditional, but then it's mixed in the second clause, which should be "...I would slap his face".
0
0
“If I were you” is an expression that means “in your position” – it has no tense.
“If I had been you” is a similar expression that means “in that occasion, in your position” – it now takes on the perfect past tense.
1. If I were you, I would have slapped his face. = In your position, I would have…
2. If I had been you, I would… = In that occasion, in your position, I would have…
0
0
wilpeter“If I were you” is an expression that means “in your position” – it has no tense.“If I had been you” is a similar expression that means “in that occasion, in your position” – it now takes on the perfect past tense.1. If I were you, I would have slapped his face. = In your position, I would have…2. If I had been you, I would… = In that occasion, in your position, I
0
0
Philip(Notice anything different today?)
Other than that the sun is shining, not yet. Your response to this OP was beyond my knowledge level.
0
0
wilpeterf I were you” is an expression that means “in your position” – it has no tense.
Were= infected verb. It must show tense.
wilpeter“If I had been you” is a similar expression that means “in that occasion, in your position” – it now takes on the perfect past tense.1. If I were you, I would have slapped his face. = In your position,
0
0
If I were - is an expression - it is used for discussing hypothetical situations, so relies on the fact that it is not TRUE in the present or past.
If I was - is conditional and is usually followed by an indication of tense. If I was to come over...
If I were you (in other words I am not, never was, and never will be you)...
0
0
Inflected*
wilpeterIf I were - is an expression - it is used for discussing hypothetical situations, so relies on the fact that it is not TRUE in the present or past.If I was - is conditional and is usually followed by an indication of tense. If I was to come over... If I were you (in other words I am not, never was, and never will be you)...
Alright, thank you.
0

Related Questions