Matching tenses with “would”. Is it always necessary?
Hello, so basically I would like to know which one of the following sentences is correct and if there is any difference in meaning:
1) I would give it a try if you did so first. (implying that the other person hasn’t given it a try yet and there is likelihood for him to do so at some point in the future)
2) I would give it a try if you do so first.
I had the former thrown at me by a native speaker and I got a bit confused by his choice of words as he referred to future events that may or may have not occurred at the time, but yet decided to stick to verb tense consistency.
Top answer
gray silver 686 1) I would give it a try if you did so first. 2) I would give it a try if you do so first. 1) is correct.
- gray silver 686 1) I would give it a try if you did so first.
- 2) I would give it a try if you do so first.
- 1) is correct.
- 2) is technically incorrect.
- 'would' should be 'will'.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
gray silver 6861) I would give it a try if you did so first.
2) I would give it a try if you do so first.
1) is correct. 2) is technically incorrect. 'would' should be 'will'.
Still, you'll sometimes hear 2) anyway. But I don't advise using that combination. It gives the impression that you don't know how to express yourself in idiomatic Eng
0
Related Questions