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English 1b3 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Habitual Would in this sentence

You would share stories about the odd thing that Grandpa would say/ said that day.

Which is correct: 'would say' or 'said' and why?

Thanks
  

Top answer

It’s said. Grandpa said the odd thing on a specific day, not on a habitual basis.

— RandomGuy

  • It’s said.
  • Grandpa said the odd thing on a specific day, not on a habitual basis.
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14 Answers
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It’s said. Grandpa said the odd thing on a specific day, not on a habitual basis.
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Aspara GusIt’s said. Grandpa said the odd thing on a specific day, not on a habitual basis.
OK, because I wrote 'that day' it is a specific day that he said something odd - it's not habitual.

What if you wanted to say that Grandpa would say odd things often and you would share stories about it on the same day that each odd thing was said?
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I can't imagine why you would want to say such a thing, but here's my best:

Grandpa would say odd things, and you would share stories about them on the days that they were said.
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Aspara GusI can't imagine why you would want to say such a thing, but here's my best:
If they were to talk about it on the day Grandpa said something odd, it implies they see each other often.

Do you like this wording to explain that you would share stories regularly about odd things Grandpa would say regularly?

You would share stories about
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Aspara GusYes, it’s fine.
What about this? I think I prefer this:

You would laugh about the bizarre things old age has done to Grandpa.
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Since the sentence describes a past habit, I would say backshifting is preferable, regardless of whether Grandpa is still with us:

You would laugh about the bizarre things that old age had done to Grandpa.
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Aspara GusSince the sentence describes a past habit, I would say backshifting is preferable, regardless of whether Grandpa is still with us:You would laugh about the bizarre things that old age had done to Grandpa.
Ah, yes, I'd agree with that. Thanks.

Here is another habitual would sentence:

When the phone conversation would end, she woul
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It’s no good. You should rewrite the sentence without would; you’re forcing it now.
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Aspara GusIt’s no good. You should rewrite the sentence without would; you’re forcing it now.
Really? That's strange. Are you saying it's ungrammatical or just awkward?

Could you perhaps suggest another way to convey what I'm attempting to say (below I have pasted the sentence for you)?

When the phone conversation would end, she would be u
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