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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
Had to get off
Hi.
"These entities created what Kynikos Associates hedge fund manager Jim Chanos calls the “treadmill to hell.” At some point, they had to get off. And when they did, they’d be left with an unsustainable debt. That moment is looking more and more as if it has arrived." [From The Wall Street Journal.]
Does the verb phrase had to get off express the hypothetical present or future in the context?
Thank you.
"These entities created what Kynikos Associates hedge fund manager Jim Chanos calls the “treadmill to hell.” At some point, they had to get off. And when they did, they’d be left with an unsustainable debt. That moment is looking more and more as if it has arrived." [From The Wall Street Journal.]
Does the verb phrase had to get off express the hypothetical present or future in the context?
Thank you.
Top answer
Anonymous Does the verb phrase had to get off express the hypothetical present or future in the context? What an unexpected question! Interesting example.
- Anonymous Does the verb phrase had to get off express the hypothetical present or future in the context?
- What an unexpected question!
- Interesting example.
- That word group paraphrases as 'would have to get off', so it's not exactly hypothetical at all.
- I would explain it by saying that 'had' (the simple past) is used as 'would have' ( the future of the past ).
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2 Answers
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AnonymousDoes the verb phrase had to get off express the hypothetical present or future in the context?What an unexpected question! Interesting example.
That word group paraphrases as 'would have to get off', so it's not exactly hypothetical at all. I would explain it by saying that 'had' (the simple past) is used as 'would have' (the fut
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