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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

question on conditional and reported speech

Hi,
1) Is this a conditional? I thought a sentence with an if-clause is not conditional if the word 'if' can be replaced by 'whether'. Incidentally, to me, the sentence can be replaced as such.

Yesterday she threatened to call her sister if he called her one more time.

2) Is this possible as reported speech? I think it sure is but why the past perfect passive is possible? I thought a passive sentence is usually used when the identity of an agent is not an issue. What could be the agent in this case?

I met him yesterday and he told me he had been interested in the job I had offered earlier.

I think this is an example of a past perfect passive.

It has been damaged (by something big and strong).

3) Would you say these are all commentary words not related to the conditionality of the sentence?

If he gave me the money, I am very certain that I would have used it to buy a gift for her.
If he gave me the money, I am reluctant to admit but I would have used it to buy a gift for her.
If he gave me the money, It is beyond any doubt that I would have used it to buy a gift for her.
If he gave me the money, call me a spine-less wimp but I would certainly have used it to buy for her.
  

Top answer

Anonymous 1) Is this a conditional? I thought a sentence with an if-clause is not conditional if the word 'if' can be replaced by 'whether'. Incidentally, to me, the sentence can be replaced as such.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous 1) Is this a conditional?
  • I thought a sentence with an if-clause is not conditional if the word 'if' can be replaced by 'whether'.
  • Incidentally, to me, the sentence can be replaced as such.
  • Yesterday she threatened to call her sister if he called her one more time.
  • It is a conditional.
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6 Answers
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Anonymous1) Is this a conditional? I thought a sentence with an if-clause is not conditional if the word 'if' can be replaced by 'whether'. Incidentally, to me, the sentence can be replaced as such.

Yesterday she threatened to call her sister if he called her one more time.
It is a conditional. You can't replace if with whether. Here'
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AnonymousI think this is an example of a past perfect passive.

It has been damaged (by something big and strong).
That's a present perfect passive. The corresponding past perfect passive is:
It had been damaged by ...
CJ
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AnonymousIs this possible as reported speech? I think it sure is but why the past perfect passive is possible? I thought a passive sentence is usually used when the identity of an agent is not an issue. What could be the agent in this case?

I met him yesterday and he told me he had been interested in the job I had offered earlier.
It is
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AnonymousWould you say these are all commentary words not related to the conditionality of the sentence?
Yes, but the if clause would normally go at the end, and you need had given to go with would have used.
I am very certain that I would have used it to buy a gift for her if he had given me the money.
I am reluctant to
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Hi, Thank you but not easy to understand though.

Please look at what Nona from this forum wrote in a thread named "Please correct the sentence." Would you think 'studying' is an adjective?

I had just started studying, when she called.

Do you have a handy tip or tips that will help me to spot which one is adjective or part of a verb?
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AnonymousWould you think 'studying' is an adjective?

I had just started studying, when she called.
No. Not an adjective. started studying is a case of a catenative verb pattern. Many verbs (like start) are typically followed by another verb in the to --- or ---ing form or the base form, possibly with an intervening obje
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