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Poppyman Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Happen or happened

Hello.

I just wonder what is correct: "If you happen to see it once , then you must know what it is" or "If you happened to see it once you must know what it is"

Thanks.
  

Top answer

If you happen to see it once , then you will know what it is"-- This is a statement about a future seeing. "If you happened to see it once you must know what it is"-- This is a statement about a past seeing.

— Mister Micawber

  • If you happen to see it once , then you will know what it is"-- This is a statement about a future seeing.
  • "If you happened to see it once you must know what it is"-- This is a statement about a past seeing.
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3 Answers
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If you happen to see it once , then you will know what it is"-- This is a statement about a future seeing.

"If you happened to see it once you must know what it is"-- This is a statement about a past seeing.
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If you happen to see it once, then you will know what it is. =>The listener may have a chance to see it?
If you happened to see it once you must know what it is. =>The listener will not have a chance to see it?

Am I correct?
Thank you.
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No, the second interpretation is not right: 'must' does not work in Conditional II. Read my previous post. For CII:

If you happened to see it once you would have to know what it is/was.
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