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Jack112 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Usually would / would have
Are both of these correct? What do they mean? How do I use 'usually'?
1. I had to drive a bit faster than I usually would have because I was late for work.
2. I had to drive a bit faster than I usually would because I was late for work.
1. I had to drive a bit faster than I usually would have because I was late for work.
2. I had to drive a bit faster than I usually would because I was late for work.
Top answer
1 is more directed at the present moment about an action in the past which may not happen again, whereas would alone in 2 accounts for the action to happen again. The action in this case is driving at the normal speed when you aren't running late. 8:00pm (same day): I would have read the newspaper, but since I was running late I just left for work.
- 1 is more directed at the present moment about an action in the past which may not happen again, whereas would alone in 2 accounts for the action to happen again.
- The action in this case is driving at the normal speed when you aren't running late.
- 8:00pm (same day): I would have read the newspaper, but since I was running late I just left for work.
- (Completed action) 8:00am: I would read the newspaper, but since I am running late I will just leave for work.
- (Might read the newspaper tomorrow if I wake up earlier)
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3 Answers
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1 is more directed at the present moment about an action in the past which may not happen again, whereas would alone in 2 accounts for the action to happen again. The action in this case is driving at the normal speed when you aren't running late.
8:00pm (same day): I would have read the newspaper, but since I was running late I just left for work. (Completed action)
8:
8:00pm (same day): I would have read the newspaper, but since I was running late I just left for work. (Completed action)
8:
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1. I had to drive a bit faster than I would usually have driven, because I was late for work.
2. I had to drive a bit faster than I would usually drive, because I was late for work.
In #2, "than I would usually drive" expresses his general rule, which is still current.
In #1, "than I would usually have driven" expresses his general rule at that time.
MrP
2. I had to drive a bit faster than I would usually drive, because I was late for work.
In #2, "than I would usually drive" expresses his general rule, which is still current.
In #1, "than I would usually have driven" expresses his general rule at that time.
MrP
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