Why Conditional III for present/future real state?
The Final Break of the Prison Break series ends with Michael's farewell message that they are finally free:
“Well, if you're watching this, I'm glad, because it means you're safe. And that's all I ever wanted. I wish I could be there with you, but as you probably know now, I wouldn't have had much time anyway. So I made my choice, and I don't regret it." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison_Break:_The_Final_Break |
Michael has a tumor and doesn't have much time left. So, the real fact behind the unreality of Conditional is present. Why is there Cond III then?
He does mean to say that even if he had come [but he didn't], he wouldn't have much time [and he doesn't and won't have] anyway because he's dying, doesn't he? It feels like a case of Mixed Conditional to me.
How can you explain Cond III in this context?
Thank you in advance,
YETY
Top answer
He doesn't have enough time now, and he didn't have enough time then, either.
- He doesn't have enough time now, and he didn't have enough time then, either.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
He doesn't have enough time now, and he didn't have enough time then, either.
0YETYlandI wish I could be there with you, but as you probably know now, I wouldn't have had much time anyway.
The author's thoughts are probably working thus:
I wish I could be there with you now, but I'm not, because I did not go there to be with you. If I had gone there to be with you, I would not have had much time with you anyway.
I don't t
0
Related Questions