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SpoonfedBaby Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
if I had ever learnt, I should be...
Dear helpers
I read this sentence:
And if I had ever learnt, I should be a true proficient.
I have tried to find which pattern this sentence follows. The closest one is the conditional untrue (contrary to fact) in the past sentence. For example:
If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.
The verb tenses of the independent sentences “I should be a true proficient” and “I would have passed the exam” are different.
What is the pattern of that sentence?
Thank you very much,
Spoonfedbaby
I read this sentence:
And if I had ever learnt, I should be a true proficient.
I have tried to find which pattern this sentence follows. The closest one is the conditional untrue (contrary to fact) in the past sentence. For example:
If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.
The verb tenses of the independent sentences “I should be a true proficient” and “I would have passed the exam” are different.
What is the pattern of that sentence?
Thank you very much,
Spoonfedbaby
Top answer
And if I had ever learnt, I should be a true proficient. "true proficient"?? What is that supposed to mean, Spoonfedbaby?
- And if I had ever learnt, I should be a true proficient.
- "true proficient"??
- What is that supposed to mean, Spoonfedbaby?
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17 Answers
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"true proficient"?? What is that supposed to mean, Spoonfedbaby?
And if I had ever learnt, I should be a true proficient.
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Pro fi cient , n. [L. proficiens, -entis, p. pr. of proficere to go forward, make progress; pro forward + facere to make.] One who has made considerable advances in any business, art, science, or branch of learning; an expert; an adept; as, proficient in a trade; a proficient in mathematics, music, etc.
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Hello SFB
You often find an IF statement with this pattern:
1. If I had studied English more diligently, I would now be a true proficient.
2. If I had studied English more diligently, I would now be earning much more money.
The structure is:
Imaginary past ===> imaginary present
I would say that your sentence followed this pattern. 'Should'
You often find an IF statement with this pattern:
1. If I had studied English more diligently, I would now be a true proficient.
2. If I had studied English more diligently, I would now be earning much more money.
The structure is:
Imaginary past ===> imaginary present
I would say that your sentence followed this pattern. 'Should'
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You mean Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin I presume. BTW, did I not read you write somewhere in this forum that Jane Austin's time was "a long long time ago"?
The sentence is a quote from Pride and Prejudice.
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Yes, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin was written quite some time ago, so much of its language sounds a bit strange and stilted today.
Spoonfedbaby - are you wathcing the BBC version with Colin Firth? That is my absolute favorite show - my ten-year-old has watched it so many times with me that we have whole stretches of dialogue memorized. In fact, when I re-read the book afte
Spoonfedbaby - are you wathcing the BBC version with Colin Firth? That is my absolute favorite show - my ten-year-old has watched it so many times with me that we have whole stretches of dialogue memorized. In fact, when I re-read the book afte
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I have the Colin Firth version on tape. Have seen the 1980 version and the Greer Garson one
too. In fact, I've seen all recent JA adaptations.
too. In fact, I've seen all recent JA adaptations.
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Julie, I hate to tell you this, but something has eaten your avatar. There's just a little bit of green ribbon left.
I wouldn't venture into your profile alone, if I were you. Looks pretty fierce. It might still be hungry.
MrP
I wouldn't venture into your profile alone, if I were you. Looks pretty fierce. It might still be hungry.
MrP
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