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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Right usage here?

Sentence: China would be on equal footing with the USA today had it not become a colony of British Empire.

Question: Use of "had" would be correct for supposition or "if"?
  

Top answer

They're both used. "Had it not become" is higher register. "If it had not become" is a bit more casual.

— Avangi

  • They're both used.
  • "Had it not become" is higher register.
  • "If it had not become" is a bit more casual.
  • ("If it hadn't become")
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3 Answers
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They're both used. "Had it not become" is higher register.
"If it had not become" is a bit more casual. ("If it hadn't become")
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China would be on an equal footing with the USA today had it not become a colony of the British Empire.

I'd consider replacing 'it' by 'China', to clarify that 'it' does not refer to the USA..

I wonder if the writer is aware that the predecessor to the USA was part of the British Empire (ie the Ameri
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CliveI wonder if the writer is aware
I see your point.
Actually, it sounds as if the writer believes China was once a colony of the British Empire.
(It wasn't, was it??)
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