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TeacherJapan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Subjunctive mode?
I wonder if all these expressions are possible.
When I was little, I was told by my mother not to swear to other people. She said if I did, they (. ) and get upset.
1) would think me to be ill-mannered
2) would think I were ill-mannered
3) would think of me as I'll-mannered
When I was little, I was told by my mother not to swear to other people. She said if I did, they (. ) and get upset.
1) would think me to be ill-mannered
2) would think I were ill-mannered
3) would think of me as I'll-mannered
Top answer
not to swear at other people For (1), I would say "they would think me ill-mannered". "to be" seems unnecessary. "were" in (2) seems a bit pedantic to me.
- not to swear at other people For (1), I would say "they would think me ill-mannered".
- "to be" seems unnecessary.
- "were" in (2) seems a bit pedantic to me.
- I would use "was".
- (3) is correct English apart from the typo.
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10 Answers
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not to swear at other people
For (1), I would say "they would think me ill-mannered". "to be" seems unnecessary.
"were" in (2) seems a bit pedantic to me. I would use "was".
(3) is correct English apart from the typo. "think me ill-mannered" and "think of me as ill-mannered" are not completely identical in nuance though, in my opinion. When describing someo
For (1), I would say "they would think me ill-mannered". "to be" seems unnecessary.
"were" in (2) seems a bit pedantic to me. I would use "was".
(3) is correct English apart from the typo. "think me ill-mannered" and "think of me as ill-mannered" are not completely identical in nuance though, in my opinion. When describing someo
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teacherJapanWhen I was little,... they would think me ill-manneredI was told bymy mother told me not to sweartoat other people. She said if I did, ...
... they would think of me as ill-mannered
... they would think I was ill-mannered
I would use one of the three above.
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teacherJapan Subjunctive mode?By the way, the usual term is "subjunctive mood".
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Thank you very much for your answers.
Along with these lines, I've always wondered about the difference between "think of A as B" and "think A B." When describing about a particular event, the latter form is more suitable. If so, when would you use the former form specifically?
Along with these lines, I've always wondered about the difference between "think of A as B" and "think A B." When describing about a particular event, the latter form is more suitable. If so, when would you use the former form specifically?
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teacherJapan Thank you very much for your answers. Along with these lines, I've always wondered about the difference between "think of A as B" and "think A B." When describing about a particular event, the latter form is more suitable. If so, when would you use the former form specifically?"think of A as B" can be used for long-term situations (though this di
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I really appreciate your detailed instructions with clear examples. Now I get the idea, I think.
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CalifJimI don't see any subjunctive forms except your "were" in 2), which sounds wrong to my ear.
She said if I did, ...
The original sentence's
... they would think me ill-mannered.
... they would think of me as ill-mannered.
... they would think I was ill-mannered.
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SoSaysSunnythe subjunctive (would)."would" is not a subjunctive form. If there is any subjunctive in an if statement, it will be in the if-clause.
"would" is a conditional form.
CJ
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Thank you for the clarification. I need to brush up on my terminology. Sorry for my mistake.
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SoSaysSunny I need to brush up on my terminology.Here are my posts on the subjunctive if you're interested.
CJ
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