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JungKim Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

tense simplification in subordinate clauses

(1) It will be interesting to see whether he recognizes you.
(2) It will be interesting to see whether he will recognize you.
(3) It is interesting to see whether he recognizes you.
(4) It is interesting to see whether he will recognize you.

Are these all fine?
If not, please let me know which is possible English and which is not.
  

Top answer

The first three are possible; the fourth is not. The first and third are natural.

— Mister Micawber

  • The first three are possible; the fourth is not.
  • The first and third are natural.
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7 Answers
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The first three are possible; the fourth is not. The first and third are natural.
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Thanks, MM.
How about this context?
The listener is going to meet 'him' in a few days in their high school reunion or something.
It's been like 40 years since they went to high school.
In this context, I think it's between (2) and (4). Don't you agree?
Also, between (2) and (4), if (2) is possible, I don't know why (4) is not.
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#4 is not possible because a possibly interesting future event cannot be interesting now.
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Mister Micawber#4 is not possible because a possibly interesting future event cannot be interesting now.
If (4) is not possible for the reason you've just stated, which one do you think is the most natural in my earlier context of having a reunion?
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(3) and (4) are not correct
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Robert Marmaduke(3) and (4) are not correct
#3 is fine under the right circumstances: a recognition anticipated in a moment.
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