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HSS Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

If he Knew What he Is/Was Doing (Now), ....

Which would sound natural?
[1] If he knew what he is doing (now), he would be doing it better.
[2] If he knew what he was doing (now), he would be doing it better.
  

Top answer

HSS Which would sound natural? Only the second one sounds natural to me. After knew and thought it is strange to use a present tense.

— CalifJim

  • HSS Which would sound natural?
  • Only the second one sounds natural to me.
  • After knew and thought it is strange to use a present tense.
  • CJ
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4 Answers
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HSSWhich would sound natural?
Only the second one sounds natural to me. After knew and thought it is strange to use a present tense.

CJ
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gramatically second one sounds better Emotion: smile
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Oh, okay. Thanks, CJ.

A lot of Grammar books say verbs in a subordinate clause within an if-clause with a subjunctive past/ past perfect verb do not get backshifted. This sentece is talking about 'what he IS doing.' But, like you, most native speakers seem to choose the subjunctive past for a verb in a subordinate clause when with a subjunctive main verb --- in this case, 'was.' I presum
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HSSdo you think this is mostly only with 'knew' and 'thought'?
Mostly, yes. I suspect that other verbs with similar meanings, like believe, would usually follow the same pattern, though I haven't made a thorough reseach of it. I think I would consistently follow through with the usual tense sequence patterns for all verbs unless I had a very special r
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