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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Future in the past
What is the tense and correctness of the following sentence in a history paper: Lee was single-handedly to lead the Confederacy? I ma most concerned with the usage of "was to lead" compared to "would lead."
Top answer
I would use "would" myself. The "Lee was to lead" (this, by the way, seems like a good place for a split infinitive - to single-handedly lead) could sound like it was an obligation or command, while "Lee would lead" sounds like future in the past.
- I would use "would" myself.
- The "Lee was to lead" (this, by the way, seems like a good place for a split infinitive - to single-handedly lead) could sound like it was an obligation or command, while "Lee would lead" sounds like future in the past.
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1 Answers
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I would use "would" myself.
The "Lee was to lead" (this, by the way, seems like a good place for a split infinitive - to single-handedly lead) could sound like it was an obligation or command, while "Lee would lead" sounds like future in the past.
The "Lee was to lead" (this, by the way, seems like a good place for a split infinitive - to single-handedly lead) could sound like it was an obligation or command, while "Lee would lead" sounds like future in the past.
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