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Listenever Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
If something went wrong, I can't get into the airplane until we land.
Tom Cruise talks about his stunt: "If something went wrong, I can't get into the airplane until we land." (At 21 seconds)
I'm not quite sure if this interview was had after the fact or before the fact.
In any case, I'm puzzled at the tense used ("went"-""can't"-"land").
Assuming that the interview was after the fact, he knows that nothing went wrong during the stunt, so he could have easily said, "If something had gone wrong, I couldn't have gotten into the airplane until we landed."
If, however, the interview was done before the fact, he could have said, EITHER "If something goes wrong, I can't get into the airplane until we land" OR "If something went wrong, I couldn't get into the airplane until we landed."
So I'm not sure what's going on here.
Anyone?
I'm not quite sure if this interview was had after the fact or before the fact.
In any case, I'm puzzled at the tense used ("went"-""can't"-"land").
Assuming that the interview was after the fact, he knows that nothing went wrong during the stunt, so he could have easily said, "If something had gone wrong, I couldn't have gotten into the airplane until we landed."
If, however, the interview was done before the fact, he could have said, EITHER "If something goes wrong, I can't get into the airplane until we land" OR "If something went wrong, I couldn't get into the airplane until we landed."
So I'm not sure what's going on here.
Anyone?
Top answer
Anonymous probably after I agree. Anonymous note: in remote conditionals, the simple past is often used instead of the past perfect for past time reference (If something went wrong, I could’ve... instead of If something had gone wrong.
- Anonymous probably after I agree.
- Anonymous note: in remote conditionals, the simple past is often used instead of the past perfect for past time reference (If something went wrong, I could’ve...
- instead of If something had gone wrong.
- grammar books don’t tell you that though) Actually, I'm already aware of this.
- But thanks.
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5 Answers
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Anonymousprobably afterI agree.
Anonymousnote: in remote conditionals, the simple past is often used instead of the past perfect for past time reference (If something went wrong, I could’ve... instead of If something had gone wrong. grammar books don’t tell you that though)Actually, I'm already aware of this. But thanks.
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Listenever, I accidentally deleted the post you are quoting. My apologies to all concerned.
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fivejedjonListenever, I accidentally deleted , the post you are quoting. My apologies to all concerned.Not a problem, cause I've quoted all the important parts.
If you're interested in this thread, could you instead answer my question regarding the historical present being used in a remote conditional?
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listeneverThis is what troubles me. I know of "historical present" itself, but I've never come across the historical present being used in the main clause of a remote conditional. Moreover, considering the fact that the very reason that you use a remote conditional is so you can sort of distance yourself from what you think is an unreal action by using the past tense (suc
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listeneverIf you're interested in this thread, could you instead answer my question regarding the historical present being used in a remote conditional?I would say that it was totally unacceptable in writing. However, whether we like it or not, some speakers do switch to the present in informal conversation. I don't recommend you try it.
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