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Jadarite Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
"It would be nice to ______ so we [ didn't / don't ] have to ______."
A. "It would be nice to _____ so we didn't have to _____."
B. "It would be nice to _____ so we don't have to _____."
Which is correct?
B. "It would be nice to _____ so we don't have to _____."
Which is correct?
Top answer
IMHO, the second is the right one, because it is a goal in question. Compare: «Now she had a girl to do the rough work so that she didn't need herself get up before seven» (consequence, not goal) EDIT: And what about "wouldn't have to"? Is this question from a textbook?
- IMHO, the second is the right one, because it is a goal in question.
- Compare: «Now she had a girl to do the rough work so that she didn't need herself get up before seven» (consequence, not goal) EDIT: And what about "wouldn't have to"?
- Is this question from a textbook?
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5 Answers
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IMHO, the second is the right one, because it is a goal in question.
Compare: «Now she had a girl to do the rough work so that she didn't need herself get up before seven» (consequence, not goal)
EDIT: And what about "wouldn't have to"? Is this question from a textbook?
Compare: «Now she had a girl to do the rough work so that she didn't need herself get up before seven» (consequence, not goal)
EDIT: And what about "wouldn't have to"? Is this question from a textbook?
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The first is all right. I can't imagine a lot of ways to use the second one, but it seems possible. I prefer a third:
It would be nice to _____ so we wouldn't have to _____.
In fact, I hear the first one with didn't almost as a substitute for my version with wouldn't.
CJ
It would be nice to _____ so we wouldn't have to _____.
In fact, I hear the first one with didn't almost as a substitute for my version with wouldn't.
CJ
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Both are correct. As an example of b:
It would be nice to own a car so we don't have to commute in a bus.
It would be nice to own a car so we don't have to commute in a bus.
00
This is interesting.
Grammatically, I'd write it in the same way as you did.
It would be nice to own a car so we don't have to commute in a bus.
But, for some reason, 'we wouldn't have' sounds better. Does using wouldn't make the sentence subjunctive?
Grammatically, I'd write it in the same way as you did.
It would be nice to own a car so we don't have to commute in a bus.
But, for some reason, 'we wouldn't have' sounds better. Does using wouldn't make the sentence subjunctive?
00
would / wouldn't can be called hypothetical or conditional, but not subjunctive.
Subjunctive is be in the following:
It is important that you be on time.
And were in the following:
If he were here, we could begin.
But would is not subjunctive:
I would enjoy this dessert
Subjunctive is be in the following:
It is important that you be on time.
And were in the following:
If he were here, we could begin.
But would is not subjunctive:
I would enjoy this dessert
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