What "would" is it
A letter signed by Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the House financial services committee, and four other Democratic lawmakers called on Mnuchin to share any financial data that the treasury department might have that would help the committee determine the “extent of any undue influence on the president and his administration from Russian government officials, oligarchs, and organised crime leaders”. (The Guardian.)
Is "would" a hypothetical one or backshifted from "will" in the sentence above? Does it matter at all which one it is?
Top answer
anonymous Is "would" a hypothetical one or backshifted from "will" in the sentence above? It has aspects of both. Hypothetical: It would help if the committee could see that financial data.
- anonymous Is "would" a hypothetical one or backshifted from "will" in the sentence above?
- It has aspects of both.
- Hypothetical: It would help if the committee could see that financial data.
- (But we don't know yet if that data even exists.
- ) Backshifted: The unbackshifted form (retaining only the relevant parts) is They ask him to share any data that will help the committee.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
anonymousIs "would" a hypothetical one or backshifted from "will" in the sentence above?
It has aspects of both.
Hypothetical: It would help if the committee could see that financial data. (But we don't know yet if that data even exists. We're guessing, i.e., making a hypothesis.)
Backshifted: The unbackshifted form (retaining only the relev
0
Related Questions