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Pructus Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Would
There was nothing threatening about them; in fact, they looked extraordinarily peaceful, which I found reassuring. Looking back on the event, I would wonder why I had not been more fearful, given that these very solid-looking people had apparently materialized out of nowhere.
Hi,
The "would wonder", does it refer to the past or the present situation?
I guess it refers to the past, because "why I had not been", a past perfect is used...
If the "would wonder" means present situation, then "had not been" will be "was not".
Am I correct?
Hi,
The "would wonder", does it refer to the past or the present situation?
I guess it refers to the past, because "why I had not been", a past perfect is used...
If the "would wonder" means present situation, then "had not been" will be "was not".
Am I correct?
Top answer
It seems to refer to the present and/or the future, implying that if I were to retrospect to the event, I would wonder about certain things. Really, I suspect the writer didn't like the sound of I wonder why , so he threw would in there. I can't say for sure if the past perfect is warranted here.
- It seems to refer to the present and/or the future, implying that if I were to retrospect to the event, I would wonder about certain things.
- Really, I suspect the writer didn't like the sound of I wonder why , so he threw would in there.
- I can't say for sure if the past perfect is warranted here.
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5 Answers
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It seems to refer to the present and/or the future, implying that if I were to retrospect to the event, I would wonder about certain things.
Really, I suspect the writer didn't like the sound of I wonder why, so he threw would in there.
I can't say for sure if the past perfect is warranted here.
Really, I suspect the writer didn't like the sound of I wonder why, so he threw would in there.
I can't say for sure if the past perfect is warranted here.
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pructusLooking back on the event, I would wonder why I had not been more fearful, ...~ Whenever I [would / used to] look back (past) on the event (that had happened)(more in the past), I [would / used to] wonder (habitually)(past) why I had not been more fearful (more in the past, i.e., at the time of the event), ...
The 'would's and 'used to's show
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CalifJimWhen you start reading the sentence, it's not clear yet where "looking back" is located in time. But when you get to "I would wonder", it becomes more clear that the idea is "When I would look back, I would wonder"Right as usual, CJ. I can't believe that didn't occur to me! That introductory phrase totally threw me off.
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