0
Kook j Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

If

Hi,teachers I want to know the necessity of using past participle after if.

What's the difference between them below?

1:Would you mind if I said how I felt tonight ?

2:Would you mind if I say how I feel tonight ?

And I would be very pleased if you let me know what these forms using if are called.
  

Top answer

Great question and example. Both usages are correct. In American English, they are practically interchangeable, but if I had to distinguish their slight differences: 1: The use of past tense ("if I said how I felt ") gives the sentence a tone of retrospect, suggesting that the speaker is concerned about the result if the condition is followed.

— Anonymous

  • Great question and example.
  • Both usages are correct.
  • In American English, they are practically interchangeable, but if I had to distinguish their slight differences: 1: The use of past tense ("if I said how I felt ") gives the sentence a tone of retrospect, suggesting that the speaker is concerned about the result if the condition is followed.
  • 2: The use of present tense ("if I say how I feel ") gives a tone of anticipation, suggesting that the speaker is planning to follow the condition regardless of the outcome, and is preparing the listener for the condition to be followed.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
Great question and example. Both usages are correct. In American English, they are practically interchangeable, but if I had to distinguish their slight differences:

1: The use of past tense ("if I said how I felt") gives the sentence a tone of retrospect, suggesting that the speaker is concerned about the result if the condition is followed.

2: The use of present
0
0
And the great answer. Thanks.
0

Related Questions