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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Insofar
a) He was happy only insofar as outward appearances went.
Can 'only insofar as' work here?
b) He saw two girls, one of whom was smiling while the other kept pointing toward the door.
When we describe two people, can we use 'the other' in this manner?
c) He could always sign the petition in order that their campaign might prevail later on.
My doubt is: this sentence is past tense, yet I want the event to be speculative, to reflect on the future. Have I done it correctly? Suppose I say 'he could have signed ... might have prevailed', that would reflect the past (from past tense) instead of the future and would therefore be wrong. Am I right in my reasoning?
d) He spoke too much, which created suspicion.
He spoke too much, and that created suspicion.
He spoke too much, which was what created suspicion.
Are all three acceptable? Which one is better?
Warmly,
DJ
Can 'only insofar as' work here?
b) He saw two girls, one of whom was smiling while the other kept pointing toward the door.
When we describe two people, can we use 'the other' in this manner?
c) He could always sign the petition in order that their campaign might prevail later on.
My doubt is: this sentence is past tense, yet I want the event to be speculative, to reflect on the future. Have I done it correctly? Suppose I say 'he could have signed ... might have prevailed', that would reflect the past (from past tense) instead of the future and would therefore be wrong. Am I right in my reasoning?
d) He spoke too much, which created suspicion.
He spoke too much, and that created suspicion.
He spoke too much, which was what created suspicion.
Are all three acceptable? Which one is better?
Warmly,
DJ
Top answer
a-- Yes b-- Yes c-- You are completely right. d-- All are possible; the first is the usual, I think.
- a-- Yes b-- Yes c-- You are completely right.
- d-- All are possible; the first is the usual, I think.
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3 Answers
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a-- Yes
b-- Yes
c-- You are completely right.
d-- All are possible; the first is the usual, I think.
b-- Yes
c-- You are completely right.
d-- All are possible; the first is the usual, I think.
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Thanks a lot, MM. A small doubt, if you don't mind. I want (C) to be past tense (but projecting a possible future event), but my friend says it functions as both past and present tense. He says if that sentence were to be a dialogue where A is advising B that he must sign the petition, it would be in the present tense. I am a little confused.
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Past tense for the signing? Then c) He could always have signed the petition in order that their campaign might prevail later on.
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