How to put these sentences into the past tense
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I have two questions.
1
This is what he will do.
I want to know how to put the what-clause of this sentence into the past tense.
At first, I thought that it was “This is what he would do,” but it sounds to me like the sentence is a kind of subjunctive.
So, how can I do? Do I have to say “This is what I thought he would do”?
If I say “This is what he was going to do,” it sounds to me like an intension of his own is in the meaning. So, the meaning is slightly different from the version of “would.”
2
I think it might start raining.
How can I put this sentence into the past tense?
Is “I thought it might start raining” right? But it sounds to me like this is the past tense of “I think it may start raining.” The meaning is slightly different. So, how can I do?
Top answer
Littleshiro This is what he will do. " English does not actually have a future tense. We have to build one on the spot each time.
- Littleshiro This is what he will do.
- " English does not actually have a future tense.
- We have to build one on the spot each time.
- We use "will", and you have mistaken that for intent.
- Littleshiro Is “I thought it might start raining” right?
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LittleshiroThis is what he will do.
"This is what he did." English does not actually have a future tense. We have to build one on the spot each time. We use "will", and you have mistaken that for intent.
LittleshiroIs “I thought it might start raining” right?
Right. The may/might present/past distinction is little
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