The papers "would have called" it.

Question

Hi,The writing below is from a book by David Sedaris. Would you explain why it says, "would have called"? I understand it can't be "the papers called it" because he actually didn't see the papers, but I think he could say, "the paper would call it." even in the past tense.I was nearing the end of a brief seasonal job when I noticed that my favorite town house had been put up for sale. "A Federal Gem," the papers would have called it.Thank you,M

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

mitsuwao23I understand it can't be "the papers called it" because he actually didn't see the papers

The papers never published such a statement, so even if he had seen the papers, he would not have seen the statement. It doesn't have to do with whether he saw the papers or not. It has to do with the fact that the publication of such a statement is something that exists only his imagination.

mitsuwao23I think he could say, "the paper would call it." even in the past tense.

That's debatable. It doesn't sound quite right that way. You are in the context of a story (which is in the past, of course, as stories always are), so it's would have called. Supposing it were "real life" however, and the author had phrased it that way - with a direct quote - he could have written:

... when I noticed that my favorite town house had been put up for sale. I said to myself, "The papers would call this town house 'A Federal Gem'".

CJ

Mitsuo23 · Answer

Thank you for the reply. I know "would" isn't easy to understand.

CalifJim It has to do with the fact that the publication of such a statement is something that exists only his imagination.

Exactly. What I meant by "the papers" is "the papers that actually advertised the townhouse." He didn't see it so he can't say, "The papers called it."

CalifJimThat's debatable. It doesn't sound quite right that way. You are in the context of a story (which is in the past, of course, as stories always are), so it's would have called.

But to my ears, "the papers would have called it." sounds eliminating every possibility that the papers called it "A Federal Gem." Sounds like he's sure it didn't happen.

And besides, This is the succeeding sentences:

'A Federal Gem," the papers would have called it. Four stories tall, the building stood on a quiet, tree-lined block enclosing a private garden. As far as I was concerned, the house belonged to me. I'd spent a lot of time spying into the walnutpaneled second-floor study and imagining myself dusting the bookcases. It would take a lot of work to keep the place clean, but I was willing to make the sacrifice.

If I follow your rule correctly, it feels like the underlined part has to be like "It would have taken a lot of work to keep the place clean."

Also, to support my point of view would you check the following? That is one of my previous questions I posted about "would" in the past tense.

Thank you in advance,

M

CalifJim · Answer

mitsuwao23But to my ears, "the papers would have called it." sounds eliminating every possibility that the papers called it "A Federal Gem." Sounds like he's sure it didn't happen.

It's the same to my ear. He is sure it didn't happen. I would bet my bottom dollar that it didn't happen.

mitsuwao23It would take a lot of work to keep the place clean, but I was willing to make the sacrifice.

It sounds to me like he's going to move in eventually. Here, it's not about something that definitely didn't take place. It's about something that might take place. I almost sense the meaning, "It was going to take a lot of work to keep the place clean, ..."

mitsuwao23If I follow your rule correctly, it feels like the underlined part has to be like "It would have taken a lot of work to keep the place clean."

This version finishes differently in my mind, thus:

It would have taken a lot of work to keep the place clean, so I was [sure / glad] I was not going to buy it.

CJ

Mitsuo23 · Answer

Aha, so it actually didn't happen, no possibilities. OK, good, I think I got the idea of would in the past this time.

Thank you,

M

The papers "would have called" it.

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