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ArthurAWESOME Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
HAD HE BEEN. weird
1) Had he been here, he could have done it.
2) Should you come, I'll be too glad.
3) Were she at home, she would ring me up.
4) Had I time, I would help you.
I met that strange phrases. I can understand their meaning, but could you tell me the when should I use this strange construction? And wich verbs can I put before subject?
2) Should you come, I'll be too glad.
3) Were she at home, she would ring me up.
4) Had I time, I would help you.
I met that strange phrases. I can understand their meaning, but could you tell me the when should I use this strange construction? And wich verbs can I put before subject?
Top answer
Number one is okay but I wouldn't use any of the others, they are grammatically correct but they sound contrived and unnatural.
- Number one is okay but I wouldn't use any of the others, they are grammatically correct but they sound contrived and unnatural.
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3 Answers
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Number one is okay but I wouldn't use any of the others, they are grammatically correct but they sound contrived and unnatural.
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Ray is right. They are all correct alternatives to the 'if' clause (some using the subjunctive). I know people who would say the first one, but I rather suspect that the others are more common in BrEng.
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PhilipRay is right. They are all correct alternatives to the 'if' clause (some using the subjunctive). I know people who would say the first one, but I rather suspect that the others are more common in BrEng.
They are all examples of the subjunctive, except the second, aren't they, Philip?
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