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Jack112 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Weren't / Hadn't
Scenario: This lady was performing at a show yesterday and people are saying that she performed okay only. I didn't go to the show so I don't know how she did and I say to her:
Which one should I use? I think I should use #1 but why?
1. If you weren't good, they would have let you perform.
2. If you hadn't been good, they would have let you perform. (With 'hadn't' her, I'm saying she did good? But I don't know that. So which one should I use? #1 or #2?)
Thanks.
Which one should I use? I think I should use #1 but why?
1. If you weren't good, they would have let you perform.
2. If you hadn't been good, they would have let you perform. (With 'hadn't' her, I'm saying she did good? But I don't know that. So which one should I use? #1 or #2?)
Thanks.
Top answer
You need negations in the consequent clauses. The correct form, in my opinion, is "If you weren't good, they wouldn't have let you perform". This means "They must have a good opinion of your ability to perform (in general, then and now).
- You need negations in the consequent clauses.
- The correct form, in my opinion, is "If you weren't good, they wouldn't have let you perform".
- This means "They must have a good opinion of your ability to perform (in general, then and now).
- " This sentence says nothing about how good the performer is at this present moment.
- CJ
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3 Answers
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You need negations in the consequent clauses.
The correct form, in my opinion, is "If you weren't good, they wouldn't have let you perform".
This means "They must have a good opinion of your ability to perform (in general, then and now). Otherwise, they would not have let you perform."
The second form is possible if you want the meaning it represents: "If you had
The correct form, in my opinion, is "If you weren't good, they wouldn't have let you perform".
This means "They must have a good opinion of your ability to perform (in general, then and now). Otherwise, they would not have let you perform."
The second form is possible if you want the meaning it represents: "If you had
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<quote>The correct form, in my opinion, is "If you weren't good, they wouldn't have let you perform".
This means "They must have a good opinion of your ability to perform (in general, then and now). Otherwise, they would not have let you perform." </quote>
1. If you weren't good, they would have let you perform. (So the 'weren't' isn't past tense? It is actually an
This means "They must have a good opinion of your ability to perform (in general, then and now). Otherwise, they would not have let you perform." </quote>
1. If you weren't good, they would have let you perform. (So the 'weren't' isn't past tense? It is actually an
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You know "weren't" is not a true past tense because it occurs in a typical pattern with "if" and "would".
As for stealing keys, I would say,
If you had stolen my keys last night, you would have told me.
This does not mean you are implying that he stole your keys.
CJ
As for stealing keys, I would say,
If you had stolen my keys last night, you would have told me.
This does not mean you are implying that he stole your keys.
CJ
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