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Grammarian-bot Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Need framework for switching tenses.
Have a look at the following sentence.
1. A patient accusing a doctor of malpractice will find it difficult to prove damage unless there is another doctor to testify about proper medical procedures.
In the above sentence we have swiched from simple future to simple present. I wanted to ask if there is a framwork or set of rules for switching the tenses like this one. If not, are there a set of exceptions where we should or should not switch the tenses.
Also in my last two sentences (or question), do I need a full stop or a question mark. Since they start with clause I wanted to ask and phrase If not, I am not sure whether they are sentences or questions.
GB
1. A patient accusing a doctor of malpractice will find it difficult to prove damage unless there is another doctor to testify about proper medical procedures.
In the above sentence we have swiched from simple future to simple present. I wanted to ask if there is a framwork or set of rules for switching the tenses like this one. If not, are there a set of exceptions where we should or should not switch the tenses.
Also in my last two sentences (or question), do I need a full stop or a question mark. Since they start with clause I wanted to ask and phrase If not, I am not sure whether they are sentences or questions.
GB
Top answer
A patient , accusing a doctor of malpractice , will find it difficult to prove damage unless there is another doctor to testify about proper medical procedures. Moreover, in the past it was much more difficult ...... Also words like in the past, nowadays , from now on...
- A patient , accusing a doctor of malpractice , will find it difficult to prove damage unless there is another doctor to testify about proper medical procedures.
- Moreover, in the past it was much more difficult ......
- Also words like in the past, nowadays , from now on...
- will help you to decide which tense to choose.
- 2) I wanted to ask if there is a framework or set of rules for switching the tenses like this one.
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5 Answers
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A patient ,accusing a doctor of malpractice,will find it difficult to prove damage unless there is another doctor to testify about proper medical procedures.
Sequence of tenses is important for not causing ambiguity and you will realise that it will be ungrammatical if you use was after
Sequence of tenses is important for not causing ambiguity and you will realise that it will be ungrammatical if you use was after
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Yes there is. The phrase you quoted is a simple conditional sentence, like:
"if tomorrow doesn't rain, I will go fishing". Or, "Tomorrow I'll go fishing, unless it rains".
Anyway, try to google "conditional sentence" or "conditional clause", you will find lots of theory and explanations for all the combinations. Just as an example, look at:
"if tomorrow doesn't rain, I will go fishing". Or, "Tomorrow I'll go fishing, unless it rains".
Anyway, try to google "conditional sentence" or "conditional clause", you will find lots of theory and explanations for all the combinations. Just as an example, look at:
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ZeppeYes there is. The phrase you quoted is a simple conditional sentence, like:
"if tomorrow doesn't rain, I will go fishing". Or, "Tomorrow I'll go fishing, unless it rains".
Anyway, try to google "conditional sentence" or "conditional clause", you will find lots of theory and explanations for all the combinations. Just as an example, look at:
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unless is like if not, so it qualifies as a conditional structure with the same patterns as those with if.
If there is a doctor, the patient will find it easy.
If there isn't a doctor, the patient will find it difficult.
The patient will find it easy if there is a doctor.
The patient will find it difficult if there isn't a doctor.
If there is a doctor, the patient will find it easy.
If there isn't a doctor, the patient will find it difficult.
The patient will find it easy if there is a doctor.
The patient will find it difficult if there isn't a doctor.
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