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SuperESL Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Idioms in past tense

Do I need to conjugate the tenses of the verbs in an idiom according to the verb tense of the entire sentence?

"They were confident they would be able to hold their ground even [if worst came to worst / if worst comes to worst]?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

SuperESL Do I need to conjugate the tenses of the verbs in an idiom according to the verb tense of the entire sentence? If the idiom contains a finite verb, then, yes, it must conform to regular rules of grammar. However, there may be exceptions; English is full of exceptions!

— AlpheccaStars

  • SuperESL Do I need to conjugate the tenses of the verbs in an idiom according to the verb tense of the entire sentence?
  • If the idiom contains a finite verb, then, yes, it must conform to regular rules of grammar.
  • However, there may be exceptions; English is full of exceptions!
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5 Answers
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SuperESLDo I need to conjugate the tenses of the verbs in an idiom according to the verb tense of the entire sentence?
If the idiom contains a finite verb, then, yes, it must conform to regular rules of grammar.
However, there may be exceptions; English is full of exceptions!
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So I should write "if worst came to worst" then, if the sentence is in past tense? Thank you.
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SuperESLDo I need to conjugate the tenses of the verbs in an idiom
Yes. Most idioms that contain verbs are referred to in their infinitive form, just as are individual verbs. They have to be changed to fit into the context you put them in, just like individual verbs. The pronouns have to be changed as well.

Idiom: to hold one's ground.

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