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JungKim Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner sometime.

I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner sometime. 

I think that the past tense "was" does not refer to past time but to modal remoteness. Am I right?

Are there similar cases where a non-modal, past-tense verb can show modal remoteness in the main clause?

Could anyone think of some examples?
  

Top answer

JungKim I think that the past tense "was" does not refer to past time but to modal remoteness. Am I right? Right.

— Mister Micawber

  • JungKim I think that the past tense "was" does not refer to past time but to modal remoteness.
  • Am I right?
  • Right.
  • JungKim Are there similar cases where a non-modal, past-tense verb can show modal remoteness in the main clause?
  • I wanted to ask you to dinner.
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1 Answers
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JungKimI think that the past tense "was" does not refer to past time but to modal remoteness. Am I right?
Right.
JungKimAre there similar cases where a non-modal, past-tense verb can show modal remoteness in the main clause?
I wanted to ask you to dinner.
Did you wish to order now?

I think it is re
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