How do I correct this sentence?

Question

I know this sentence is grammatically wrong: If he didn't know what to do, he would have asked us.

Which is correct between these two:

If he didn't know what to do, he should ask us. OR

If he didn't know what do do, he should have asked us.

Or are both of these sentences still wrong?

Thank you very much.

RayH · Accepted Answer

daddyjohnI know this sentence is grammatically wrong: If he didn't know what to do, he would have asked us.

I'm afraid I don't see what's wrong with it.

Yizhivika · Answer

There's nothing wrong with "If he didn't know what to do, he would have asked us.", nor with "If he didn't know what do do, he should have asked us.", but they mean different things (in British English, at least).

The first, using 'would', is a statement of fact (of what happened), whereas the second, using 'should', is an opinion about what he ought to have done.

In "If he didn't know what to do, he should ask us", you've mixed up your tenses. It should read "If he doesn't know what to do, he should ask us"

Daddyjohn · Answer

Thank you very much.

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