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Hela Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Subjunctive ?

Dear teachers,

1) Would you please tell me which sentences (in the following print) are incorrect, and if sentences [1) a)] are in the subjunctive?

2) Is there a difference in meaning between sentences [1) a)] and [2)] ?


ex A: 1) a) He did not wait until we had finished our meal.

and not: b) “He had not waited until we finished our meal.” ?

2) He did not wait until we finished our meal.


ex B: 1) a) Before we had finished our meal he ordered us back to work.

and not: b) “He had ordered us back to work before we finished our meal. / c) Before we finished our meal he had ordered us back to work.” ?

2) Before we finished our meal, he ordered us back to work.


ex C: 1) a) Before we had walked ten miles he complained of sore feet.

and not: b) “He had complained of sore feet before we walked ten miles. / c) Before we walked ten miles he had complained of sore feet.” ?

2) Before we walked ten miles, he complained of sore feet.


ex D: 1) a) He refused to go until he had seen all the pictures.

and not: b) “He had refused to go until he saw all the pictures. / c) He had not gone until he saw all the pictures.” ?

2) He refused to go until he saw all the pictures.


I hope I've been clear enough, otherwise I'll try again.

Best regards,

Hela
  

Top answer

Hi Hela, All the A's and a's are a little confusing, but let me see: ex A: 1) a) He did not wait until we had finished our meal. CORRECT BUT REDUNDANT-- 'UNTIL' INDICATES PRECEDENCE. b) He had not waited until we finished our meal.

  • Hi Hela, All the A's and a's are a little confusing, but let me see: ex A: 1) a) He did not wait until we had finished our meal.
  • CORRECT BUT REDUNDANT-- 'UNTIL' INDICATES PRECEDENCE.
  • b) He had not waited until we finished our meal.
  • ACCEPTABLE IN LIMITED CONTEXT: 'He had not waited until we finished our meal; that is why we had to shoot him'.
  • 2) He did not wait until we finished our meal.
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2 Answers
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Hi Hela,

All the A's and a's are a little confusing, but let me see:

ex A:

1) a) He did not wait until we had finished our meal. CORRECT BUT REDUNDANT-- 'UNTIL' INDICATES PRECEDENCE.

b) He had not waited until we finished our meal. ACCEPTABLE IN LIMITED CONTEXT: 'He had not waited until we finished our meal; that is why we had to shoot him'.

2) H
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Thank you Mister Micawber for you answer. I'll study it carefully and I'll come back to you in case I still have some difficulties.

Best wishes,
Hela

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