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Jack112 Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Were
Scenario: I'm looking for some boxes in the warehouse to take out. But I can't seem to find it so I ask my co-worker and he says:
1. I'm not sure but if there were any boxes, they would have been put away. (Is this 'were' ambiguous? It could either mean right now if there are any boxes or it could mean earlier in time if there were any boxes? So what exactly does this sentence mean?)
2. I'm not sure but if there are any boxes, they would have been put away. (I know this is not as good as #1 but since he doesn't know either, I have to choice to use regression here right? 'are' is fine here? )
Thanks.
1. I'm not sure but if there were any boxes, they would have been put away. (Is this 'were' ambiguous? It could either mean right now if there are any boxes or it could mean earlier in time if there were any boxes? So what exactly does this sentence mean?)
2. I'm not sure but if there are any boxes, they would have been put away. (I know this is not as good as #1 but since he doesn't know either, I have to choice to use regression here right? 'are' is fine here? )
Thanks.
Top answer
You are presenting us with spoken speech, so Yes, #1 can be taken either way (if there were before, or in the unlikely case that there are now), and #2 is OK too.
- You are presenting us with spoken speech, so Yes, #1 can be taken either way (if there were before, or in the unlikely case that there are now), and #2 is OK too.
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1 Answers
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You are presenting us with spoken speech, so Yes, #1 can be taken either way (if there were before, or in the unlikely case that there are now), and #2 is OK too.
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