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Photon Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Except they wouldn’t have believed me.

(1) I would have told them the truth, except they wouldn’t have believed me.

https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/except_1

(2) I didn't tell them the truth because they refused to believe me (and I would have told them the truth if they hadn't refused to believe me).

[Q1] Does except mean "but"?

[Q2] Is the following analysis of (1) correct?

(a) except means "but".

(b) wouldn't have is a backshift of the "wouldn't" expressing past refusal as it is used in "She wouldn't open the door".


  

Top answer

Sorry. The OP contains errors. Here's the corrected version: (1) I would have told them the truth, except they wouldn’t have believed me.

— Photon

  • Sorry.
  • The OP contains errors.
  • Here's the corrected version: (1) I would have told them the truth, except they wouldn’t have believed me.
  • com/dictionary/american/except_1 (2) I didn't tell them the truth.
  • If I had told them the truth, they wouldn't have believed me.
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1 Answers
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Sorry. The OP contains errors. Here's the corrected version:


(1) I would have told them the truth, except they wouldn’t have believed me.
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/except_1

(2) I didn't tell t

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