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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Correctness of sentences

I want to know whether following two sentences are correct or not.
a) If I had been a king I would have made you minister.
b) had I been the king I would have made you minister.
  

Top answer

When you describe the 'real' king, you'd better put the definite article, 'the' before it. If you want to connote 'a powerful figure' or 'an authority', you can just about get by with 'an oil king' or 'a home-run king' for example. Had you replaced the "a" with a "the", both sentences would have been correct.

— Mirapence

  • When you describe the 'real' king, you'd better put the definite article, 'the' before it.
  • If you want to connote 'a powerful figure' or 'an authority', you can just about get by with 'an oil king' or 'a home-run king' for example.
  • Had you replaced the "a" with a "the", both sentences would have been correct.
  • Mirapence
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2 Answers
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When you describe the 'real' king, you'd better put the definite article, 'the' before it.

If you want to connote 'a powerful figure' or 'an authority', you can just about get by with 'an oil king' or 'a home-run king' for example.

Had you replaced the "a" with a "the", both sentences would have been correct.

Mirapence
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I believe there is a difference in implication.

Wording a) implies that the hypothetical condition is contrary to fact.
Wording b) implies that the hypothetical condition is impossible.

Rommie
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