0
Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Would and know
Which one is correct:
I would tell you the answer if I know or knew.
Should the use of would always take a past oriented word (such as knew)?
Thanks.
I would tell you the answer if I know or knew.
Should the use of would always take a past oriented word (such as knew)?
Thanks.
Top answer
I would tell you the answer if I knew . Anonymous Should the use of would always take a past oriented word (such as knew)? Almost always.
- I would tell you the answer if I knew .
- Anonymous Should the use of would always take a past oriented word (such as knew)?
- Almost always.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
25 Answers
0
I would tell you the answer if I knew.
AnonymousShould the use of would always take a past oriented word (such as knew)?Almost always.
00
Thank you. Does the same apply here:
We would be glad if you 'joined' our group.
It seems that when 'would' is used with an 'if clause' the word(s) that follow just as in the above example are almost always in the past. But it may be possible that it is followed by a present word in a request or without the 'if clause'. Is that correct, may be?
We would be glad if you 'joined' our group.
It seems that when 'would' is used with an 'if clause' the word(s) that follow just as in the above example are almost always in the past. But it may be possible that it is followed by a present word in a request or without the 'if clause'. Is that correct, may be?
00
AnonymousDoes the same apply here:We would be glad if you 'joined' our group.Yes.
AnonymousBut it may be possible that it is followed by a present word in a request or without the 'if clause'. Is that correct, may be?Maybe. Can you offer an example?
00
I have nothing in mind know lol. Hmm, for example: It would be great to hear that you are having a wonderful time in responding to my question.
The tenses or the words in that sentence are not in the past. Is that sentence correct?
The tenses or the words in that sentence are not in the past. Is that sentence correct?
00
Anonymous It would be great to hear that you are having a wonderful time in responding to my question.Yes, that is possible; 'were having' is also common there.
00
So in a straight sentence, just as the previous one, both 'were and are' are possible, with the same meaning in the sentence?
Also, the use of would with an 'if clasue' is almost always followed with a past tense work. Is that correct?
Also, the use of would with an 'if clasue' is almost always followed with a past tense work. Is that correct?
00
AnonymousSo in a straight sentence, just as the previous one, both 'were and are' are possible, with the same meaning in the sentence?If the fact or condition still holds true now, yes.
AnonymousAlso, the use of would with an 'if clasue' is almost always followed with a past tense work. Is that correct?That sounds like a r
00
Thank you so much. Just curious was the ending of a sentence that a wrote correct: ....wonderful time in responding to my question. Is it correct to say 'in responding to my question'?
00
Anonymous Is it correct to say 'in responding to my question'?Yes.
00
Teacher what about this sentence:
How would I know what questions she will or would ask.
Are both possible, just the you said if it is true in the present?
How would I know what questions she will or would ask.
Are both possible, just the you said if it is true in the present?
0
Related Questions