0
Kevin X Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

"I wouldn't be ..." vs. "I wouldn't have been"

Hi,

1. Would anybody please tell me the difference(semantic) between the following two sentences?

But for her, I wouldn't be who I am.
But for her, I wouldn't have been who I am.

2. What's the difference between "who I am" and "what I am" ?

Thanks !!!
  

Top answer

1. But for her, I wouldn't be who I am. But for her, I wouldn't have been who I am .

— Mister Micawber

  • 1.
  • But for her, I wouldn't be who I am.
  • But for her, I wouldn't have been who I am .
  • -- The second one is illogical and should not be used.
  • I can be fixed this way: But for her, I wouldn't have become who I am 2.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
.
1. But for her, I wouldn't be who I am. But for her, I wouldn't have been who I am. -- The second one is illogical and should not be used. I can be fixed this way: But for her, I wouldn't have become who I am
2. What's the difference between "who I am" and "what I am"? -- Who am I? I'm Mister Micawber. What am I? I'm a moderator.
.
0

Related Questions