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Optimus Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

One would expect

1a: The car was much quieter than one would expect for such a small vehicle.
1b: The car was much quieter than one would have expected for such a small vehicle.

2a: The car is much quieter than one would expect for such a small small vehicle.
2b: The car is much quieter than one would have expected for such a small vehicle.




Hi. Are 1a and 1b grammatically correct? If so, what's the difference in meaning between them?
Also, is 2b grammatically correct?

Thank you
  

Top answer

I think they are all fine, Optimus. The tense of each clause relates separately to the times referred to: 1a-- The car in the past was quieter than one would expect today. 1b-- The car in the past was quieter than one would have expected then.

— Mister Micawber

  • I think they are all fine, Optimus.
  • The tense of each clause relates separately to the times referred to: 1a-- The car in the past was quieter than one would expect today.
  • 1b-- The car in the past was quieter than one would have expected then.
  • 2a-- The car now is quieter than one would except now.
  • 2b-- The car now is quieter than one would have expected before.
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2 Answers
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I think they are all fine, Optimus. The tense of each clause relates separately to the times referred to:

1a-- The car in the past was quieter than one would expect today.
1b-- The car in the past was quieter than one would have expected then.
2a-- The car now is quieter than one would except now.
2b-- The car now is quieter than one would have expected before.
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Thanks, MM. This is quite informative , and I liked the way you related the actions and times.
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