Two hours later, the national highway wouldn't be so crowded.

Question

I'd be happy if someone would answer my questions. Thanks in advance.

Are the following 2 sentences correct? If so, what's the difference?

A: Two hours later, the national highway wouldn't be so crowded.

B: Two hours later, the national highway won't be so crowded.

Philip · Accepted Answer

Magic-dragonI'd be happy if someone would answer my questions. Thanks in advance.

Are the following 2 sentences correct? If so, what's the difference?

A: Two hours later, the national highway wouldn't be so crowded.

B: Two hours later, the national highway won't be so crowded.

A: refers to a situation in the past. [We were going to leave at 5. But two hours later the highway wouldn't be so crowded, so we waited.]

B: refers to a situation in the present. [We want to leave now. But two hours later the highway won't be so crowded, so we will wait.] This sentence would be better with "in two hours"

Magic-dragon · Answer

--I see well. I want to know one more thing.

Is there any possibility that we can see A as meaning "If you were to go down the national highway it wouldn't be so crowded?

BarbaraPA · Answer

Magic-dragon - can you explain your question differently?

CalifJim · Answer

Is there any possibility that we can see A as meaning "If you were to go down the national highway [ two hours later, ] it wouldn't be so crowded?

I'd say so, yes, in the right context. The original sentence is a bit ambiguous. It can be interpreted in different ways depending on context. That's pretty typical of the word would.

CJ

Two hours later, the national highway wouldn't be so crowded.

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