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Musicgold Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

I would be lying to you if...

Hi,
I heard a person saying something like this.
' I would be lying to you if I said that the thought of quitting did not cross my mind any time during this period.'
My question is about the underlined part. Does this part always have to be in the past tense or there are other variations?
Thanks,
MG.
  

Top answer

Hi, I heard a person saying something like this. ' My question is about the underlined part. Does this part always have to be in the past tense or there are other variations?

— Clive

  • Hi, I heard a person saying something like this.
  • ' My question is about the underlined part.
  • Does this part always have to be in the past tense or there are other variations?
  • It certainly does not have to be the past.
  • eg I would be lying to you i f I said that I love you.
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3 Answers
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Hi,

I heard a person saying something like this.

' I would be lying to you if I said that the thought of quitting did not cross my mind any time during this period.'

My question is about the underlined part. Does this part always have to be in the past tense or there are other variations? It certainly does not have to be the past.
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Actually, said is present time subjunctive mood. The past form of the verb is used for the subjunctive mood..The last part can be future, present perfect, etc..

I would be lying to you if I said that the thought of quitting will not cross my mind any time in the future
I would be lying to you if I said that the thought of quitting
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Clive and AlpheccaStars,

Thanks a lot.

MG.
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