If I were to

Question

Scenario: I bought a computer a couple weeks ago and I'm wondering if I should return it and get a slightly better deal to what I got. So I ask my friend for his opinion.

Are #1 and #2 no good? I'm saying that I'm not going to return it?

1. If I were to return it, would that laptop be a better deal?

2. If I returned it, would that laptop be a better deal?

3. If I return it, would that laptop be a better deal? (This is one is the best? 'would' is used for his opinion?)

4. If I return it, will that laptop be a better deal? ('will' sounds odds here? It seems like he knows 100% for sure if it is a good deal or not?)

Thanks.

Yunus · Accepted Answer

hi jack,

i suppose it would be " if i would return it, would that laptop be a better deal?

But i'm not sure,

MrPedantic · Answer

Hello Jack

1. If I were to return it, would that laptop be a better deal? - fine: it's a speculative question.

2. If I returned it, would that laptop be a better deal? - again, fine; another way of asking a speculative question.

3. If I return it, would that laptop be a better deal? - ok; the present tense makes the 'returning' sound more immediate than the past tense; though the 'would' then returns you to speculative mode.

4. If I return it, will that laptop be a better deal? - fine; the present tense + future tense make the question seem more immediate than in #1 and #2; it has a less speculative or deferential air.

MrP

If I were to

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