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Pructus Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Were VS had been
Hello....
a. I can't help thinking, I would've turned out so different if you were my mom.
b. That day you left my house, you told me your life would have turned out different if I had been your mom.
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Both a. and b. are between a middle aged woman and a teen-ager in the neighborhood.
After some time the teen-ager said a., the middle-aged woman says b. to the teen-ager.
What can be the reason that were is used in a. and had been is used in b.?
Only personal preference?
Or, in b. the speaker feels more remote feeling on her being the teen-ager’s mother?
a. I can't help thinking, I would've turned out so different if you were my mom.
b. That day you left my house, you told me your life would have turned out different if I had been your mom.
******************
Both a. and b. are between a middle aged woman and a teen-ager in the neighborhood.
After some time the teen-ager said a., the middle-aged woman says b. to the teen-ager.
What can be the reason that were is used in a. and had been is used in b.?
Only personal preference?
Or, in b. the speaker feels more remote feeling on her being the teen-ager’s mother?
Top answer
pructus What can be the reason that were is used in a. and had been is used in b.? A speaks of an impossible blood relationship now.
- pructus What can be the reason that were is used in a.
- and had been is used in b.?
- A speaks of an impossible blood relationship now.
- B is reported speech ('would have' cannot further regress).
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2 Answers
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pructusWhat can be the reason that were is used in a. and had been is used in b.?A speaks of an impossible blood relationship now.
B is reported speech ('would have' cannot further regress).
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Oh, I see... I see...
That was it....
Thanks so much, Mister Micawber!!
That was it....
Thanks so much, Mister Micawber!!
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