Use of would

Question

Is the word 'would' correct in this sentence?Whenever a Jordan fan would say anything bad about his attitude, others will be mad.Or should 'would' be excluded and 'say' changed to 'says'?Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousIs the word 'would' correct in this sentence?

Not exactly. Do both clauses in the same way, either both present or both with 'would'.

Whenever a Jordan fan says anything bad about his attitude, others [are / get] mad.
Whenever a Jordan fan would say anything bad about his attitude, others would [be / get] mad.

These represent a habitual action in the present and in the past, respectively.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim AnonymousIs the word 'would' correct in this sentence?Not exactly. Do both clauses in the same way, either both present or both with 'would'.Whenever a Jordan fan says anything bad about his attitude, others [are / get] mad.Whenever a Jordan fan would say anything bad about his attitude, others would [be / get] mad.These represent a habitual action in the present and in the past, respectively.CJ

I see. Thanks a lot, CJ.

I did not realize that the use of 'would' represents an action in the past. I thought it was more of a "hypothetical" sentence! This can't be a valid here, right?

Also, it would not be possible to use a present-future combination in this case just as in a conditional sentence, right?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI did not realize that the use of 'would' represents an action in the past.

Yes. That is one of the uses of 'would'. Habitual action. Note that both words are important in describing the usage. Habitual. Action. In English there is often more than one meaning or use for the same word.

AnonymousI thought it was more of a "hypothetical" sentence!

No, not in this case. Hypothethicals are a different use of 'would'.

AnonymousAlso, it would not be possible to use a present-future combination in this case just as in a conditional sentence, right?

Right. I don't see a way that such a combination could be used.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim AnonymousI did not realize that the use of 'would' represents an action in the past.Yes. That is one of the uses of 'would'. Habitual action. Note that both words are important in describing the usage. Habitual. Action. In English there is often more than one meaning or use for the same word.AnonymousI thought it was more of a "hypothetical" sentence!No, not in this case. Hypothethicals are a different use of 'would'.AnonymousAlso, it would not be possible to use a present-future combination in this case just as in a conditional sentence, right?Right. I don't see a way that such a combination could be used.CJ

Got it thanks, CJ. But that does not mean that a present-future combination can't be used in sentences other than conditionals, right? It is possible to use this combination but not in the example I asked about, am I right?

I am confused a bit, and now starting to think that this combination maybe only possible in conditionals! Please advice!

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymouspresent-future combination

These are possible, but I doubt they are very common.

Jane is getting tired, so she'll (she will) probably go to bed soon.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim Anonymouspresent-future combinationThese are possible, but I doubt they are very common.Jane is getting tired, so she'll (she will) probably go to bed soon.CJ

Got it. So other similar sentences would also work, I am assuming, such as: our plane is delayed so we will miss our next connection flight. Right?

But when talking about an action as in our original example most other examples would best be in the same tense or combination, I am not sure what to call this, as you said. Am I right?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousSo other similar sentences would also work, I am assuming, such as: our plane is delayed so we will miss our next connection flight. Right?

Right.

Anonymouswhen talking about an action as in our original example most other examples would best be in the same tense or combination,

Correct.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim AnonymousSo other similar sentences would also work, I am assuming, such as: our plane is delayed so we will miss our next connection flight. Right?Right.Anonymouswhen talking about an action as in our original example most other examples would best be in the same tense or combination,Correct. CJ

Awesome. Thanks a lot for your help as always, CJ!

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim AnonymousIs the word 'would' correct in this sentence?Not exactly. Do both clauses in the same way, either both present or both with 'would'.Whenever a Jordan fan says anything bad about his attitude, others [are / get] mad.Whenever a Jordan fan would say anything bad about his attitude, others would [be / get] mad.These represent a habitual action in the present and in the past, respectively.

I got a question, CJ. Can't we just say,'Whenever a Jordan fan said anything bad about his attitude, other would get mad.' ?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousWhenever a Jordan fan said anything bad about his attitude, others would get mad.

Yes, you can say it that way. Also with "others got mad" at the end.

The 'would' form and the simple past are both fine in the context of "whenever".

CJ

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