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Paris zhao Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

is this sentence ambiguous?

Hi: could you please tell me if the following sentence is ambiguous:
"He worked hard so that he became rich."
In my opinion, if we interpret "became" as the past form of subjunctive, the sentence means "He worked hard so that he should become rich" (Purpose); but if we treat the verb form as indicative, the sentence expresses a kind of result. (Reality)
Is my understanding correct, at least in theory?
  

Top answer

paris zhao Is my understanding correct, at least in theory? No. The past subjunctive doesn't go there.

— Enoon

  • paris zhao Is my understanding correct, at least in theory?
  • No.
  • The past subjunctive doesn't go there.
  • " That sort of thing in simply not done nowadays.
  • The subjunctive form you want it "He worked hard so that he become rich", which is also not done.
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2 Answers
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paris zhaoIs my understanding correct, at least in theory?
No. The past subjunctive doesn't go there. That would look like this: "Became he rich, marry well would he." That sort of thing in simply not done nowadays. The subjunctive form you want it "He worked hard so that he become rich", which is also not done. You need "should" or "would" now, as you have do
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paris zhao"He worked hard so that he became rich."In my opinion, if we interpret "became" as the past form of subjunctive
It is not subjunctive, and not really a natural structure.

Here are some alternatives:

"He worked so hard that he became rich. (He is rich now.)
"He worked hard to become rich. (He is rich now.)
"He worked hard and
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