Grammar rules

Question

Can somebody help me? And explain me what's the mistake in this sentence.If I had become president ,I would have borrowed taxes.Thank you so much.                                Paola

Avangi · Accepted Answer

If I had become president ,I would have borrowed taxes.

I wouldn't call it a grammar mistake, but a logic mistake - and I think even that is a matter of opinion.

You become president at one instant in time. It's an event.

Some of the "actions" you take are not so much events as policies.

The author of your test probably considers "borrowing taxes" a continuing process.

So you might say, "If I had become President, I would borrow taxes."

This approach also assumes that the presidency referred to is still in existence.

If we were referring to the Kennedy Presidency, your original quote would be the right one.

You could also say, "If I were President, I would borrow taxes," in the present case.
That is, if you had become President, you would now be President.

The question is, what's in the mind of your test writer.

Of course the whole thing could be a joke, meaning that you would steal money from the government for your personal use. In that case, it could be a one-time deal, and the original sentence would be okay.
If I had become president I would have had a party.

Khoff · Answer

What does it mean to "borrow taxes"?  Do you mean "lower taxes"?

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymouswhat's the mistake ...
If I had become president ,I would have borrowed taxes.

1.The comma is misplaced. It should come immediately after president, and there should be a space between the comma and I.

2. borrowed is the wrong word. You need raised or lowered or some such verb.

The grammar of the conditional is fine, though.

CJ

Avangi · Answer

Come on, guys, do you think the OP wrote this sentence ,and somebody told him it was incorrect?

(but wouldn't give him a clue?) [6]

Why don't I see these things?

Sorry, Paola is a girl, right?

Is there something new about borrowing taxes? They did it with Social Security for years!

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Borrowing taxes is a common practice. A government official who borrows taxes is called a "corrupt politician," because usually they have no intention of repaying!

AvangiIs there something new about borrowing taxes? They did it with Social Security for years!

I think this is customarily called "spending your (great)(grand)children's taxes."

Anonymous · Answer

Yes,I mind lowered taxes.

I'm not sure if the mistake is the second clause needs the lowered.

Thanks

AlpheccaStars · Answer

If I had become president, I would have lowered taxes.

No mistakes!

Avangi · Answer

No lies?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Do you know how to tell when a politician is lying?

(Answer: When his lips are moving!)

Tanit · Answer

AlpheccaStarsDo you know how to tell when a politician is lying?(Answer: When his lips are moving!)

Great one!

[Y]

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