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Heralding Heretic Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

was to be/would be

Greetings and salutations,

Is there a difference in meaning when using was to be or would be? For example in the following sentence:

There was to be no recoiling.

vs

There would be no recoiling.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

As they stand, the mean the same thing. In context the meaning could differ. was to be could be a sort of command; would be could a prediction (in the past).

— Philip

  • As they stand, the mean the same thing.
  • In context the meaning could differ.
  • was to be could be a sort of command; would be could a prediction (in the past).
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2 Answers
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As they stand, the mean the same thing. In context the meaning could differ. ...was to be could be a sort of command; would be could a prediction (in the past).
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OK, thank you for clarifying.
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