Questions on two sentences

Question

1. Are my interpretations of the situations correct?

This task can be 1) perplexing among students for 2) whom English is a second language.

Is no. 1 an adjective?
Can no. 2 be a replacement of the words "those"? I thought the word "whom" ususally replaces the word "them"?

2. The group might want to exchange members, though this would affect consistency.

Is the word "would" in the dependent clause conditional? Then, what is a possible "if" clause? Do we sometimes have to search for impllict if-clauses if not stated in thess types of patterns?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

.
1. This task can be perplexing for students for whom English is a second language.

Is no. 1 an adjective?-- Yes
Can no. 2 be a replacement of the words "those"?-- No
I thought the word "whom" usually replaces the word "them"?-- No

2. The group might want to change members, though this would affect consistency.

Is the word "would" in the dependent clause conditional?-- Yes.
Then, what is a possible "if" clause?-- ...if it changed members
Do we sometimes have to search for implicit if-clauses if not stated in these types of patterns?-- Yes, indeed; often, in fact.
.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousDo we sometimes have to search for impllict if-clauses

In a way, yes, because there are many ways of expressing the idea of an if-clause without using the word if -- although I wouldn't call it a search; sometimes the if idea is right there in plain sight! Your example is a good illustration of this principle.
The group might want to exchange members, though this would affect consistency.
= The group might want to exchange members, though the exchange of members would affect consistency.
= The group might want to exchange members, though, if they did exchange members, the exchange would affect consistency.
Similarly with many gerund subjects:
Using a sharper knife would make your job easier. = If you used a sharper knife, it would make your job easier.
Inviting the boss to that party would be awkward. = If you invited the boss to that party, it would be awkward.
And with postposed infinitive subjects with dummy it.
It would not be smart to handle poison ivy. = If you handled poison ivy, you would not be smart.
It would surprise me to see you accept that job offer. = If you accepted that job offer, you would surprise me.
And with this and (especially) that referring to actions:
That would be [stupid / nice]. = If you did that, it (= that action) would be [stupid / nice].
And various other constructions:
Paul would purchase the stocks only on the advice of his lawyer. = Paul would purchase the stocks only if his lawyer advised the purchase.
Lucy would look ridiculous in that dress. = If Lucy wore that dress, she would look ridiculous.
I can't imagine that anybody would want to do anything so difficult. = I can't imagine that anybody would want to try a thing if it were so difficult.

Less obviously:
Do you think Karen would agree to this plan? = Do you think Karen would agree to this plan if we presented this plan to her?
CJ

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