It will pale

Question

Hello,Is my sentence proper?Although his friends would be upset, it will pale in comparison to what he will experience if he fails his classes.Thank you in advance.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

There are possible issues here as to what is real and what is hypothetical.

I would probably say, ". . . . that would pale in comparison to what he will experience if etc."

Your early use of "would" suggests that the thing which might upset them is hypothetical at this point.

Quaerereverum · Answer

Yes, since he can't take part in a game, his friends would be upset, since he is a good player, the team may lose the game. So , I should tell him that/ this would pale in comparison to your personal disappointment that you will experience if you fail the exam. Did I understand correctly?

Avangi · Answer

Yes, I think you understood me correctly.
These modals/conditionals have a lot of variations. Small details can make big differences.

Now you say he can't take part in the game. I had to guess about this, and assumed he was trying to decide whether or not to disappoint his friends, and you were advising him on the matter.

But in fact this is a done deal, although the result of the game is yet to be determined.
His friends will definitely be disappointed that he is not playing, and even more disappointed if the team loses.

But I thought it was his disappointment at (possibly) letting his friends down which you were comparing to his disappointment at (possibly) failing the exam. You're talking about "what he will experience."
Again, this is something I had to assume. Your original wording sort of implied it: that failing the exam would be worse for him than disappointing his friends would be for him.

I still don't know if he's skipping the game in order to take the exam, or simply to study for the exam. If the game and the exam are at the same time, and he chooses to attend the game rather than the exam, then failing the exam is a done deal.

When you're choosing verbs/modals in hypothetical situations, these details are important. Which parts are real and which are hypothetical?

Quaerereverum · Answer

Thank you Avangi for elaborate explanation.

So,I think I should use will since he will fail, if he doesn't study. So,

Although his friends will be upset, this will pale in comparison to his personal disappointment that he will experience if he fails his exams.
Hope this time my sentence sounds proper.

Avangi · Answer

quaereeverumAlthough his friends will be upset, this will pale in comparison to his personal disappointment that he will experience if he fails his exams.

Hi,
I'm comfortable with this.

One small detail: I think it would be smoother if you say " . . . . in comparison to the personal disappointment that he will experience etc."

My native ear finds "his personal disappointment that he will experience" a little redundant.

It will pale

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