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Yara1 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

The usage of "would"

Should we always use the past tense when we use "would"?
eg:"...it would be possible to identify this stance so that it becomes clear to him"
Should we use "will" here instead of "would"?
  

Top answer

1. it will be possible to identify this stance so that it becomes clear to him" -- definite 2. it would be possible to identify this stance so that it became clear to him" -- tentative/conditional 3.

— Mr Wordy

  • 1.
  • it will be possible to identify this stance so that it becomes clear to him" -- definite 2.
  • it would be possible to identify this stance so that it became clear to him" -- tentative/conditional 3.
  • it would be possible to identify this stance so that it becomes clear to him" -- has a sense of being somewhere between #1 and #2.
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9 Answers
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1. "...it will be possible to identify this stance so that it becomes clear to him" -- definite

2. "...it would be possible to identify this stance so that it became clear to him" -- tentative/conditional

3. "...it would be possible to identify this stance so that it becomes clear to him" -- has a sense of being somewhere between #1 and
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Mr Wordy1. "...it will be possible to identify this stance so that it becomes clear to him" -- definite

2. "...it would be possible to identify this stance so that it became clear to him" -- tentative/conditional

3. "...it would be possible to identify this stance so that it becomes clear to him" -- has a sense
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yara1thanks for answering! Emotion: smile let's say option 3 looks awkward, but is it incorrect?

It is
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Should we always use the past tense when we use "would"? to have a correct sentence? can we not use the present sometimes?
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yara1
Should we always use the past tense when we use "would"? to have a correct sentence? can we not use the present sometimes?

I don't understand how this question differs from what you asked before and what I've already attempted to answer.
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Thx for answering Mr wordy, it's just the would issue is confusing me and i would like to get a scientific and straight to the point answer. U said it "sounded" correct, which means u are not absolutely positive about it.. but i'm really thankful for your help!
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Unfortunately language is sometimes shades of grey not black and white. To me, my example #3 feels looser than #1 and #2, but I still find it acceptable English.
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Example 3 is something that people might say but are unliely to write. Therefore it sounds fine and there is perhaps nothing that is/or instantly stands out as incorrect. However there are better ways of wording the phrase with a little thought. I think that is what Mr Wordy is pointing out.
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Thx Mr wordy and Dave!
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