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Pacorbett Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
"would have" to describe real states in the past
I couldn't find the answer to this in my grammar book.
Native speakers often use "would have" to describe a real state in the past, even though it sounds like an unreal past conditional sentence.
For example:
World War 2 was a long time ago. But my grandmother was born in 1937 so she would have been alive then.
It sounds totally natural to me but what is the exact meaning of "would have" in this case. Is it merely a past unreal conditional that actually describes a real state. Or is it a past modal like "used to" to describe states/habits in the past? Another possible answer that sprung to mind is that we use "would have" when we suddenly realise or figure out something about the past at the time of speaking.
Clarification much appreciated!
P.
Native speakers often use "would have" to describe a real state in the past, even though it sounds like an unreal past conditional sentence.
For example:
World War 2 was a long time ago. But my grandmother was born in 1937 so she would have been alive then.
It sounds totally natural to me but what is the exact meaning of "would have" in this case. Is it merely a past unreal conditional that actually describes a real state. Or is it a past modal like "used to" to describe states/habits in the past? Another possible answer that sprung to mind is that we use "would have" when we suddenly realise or figure out something about the past at the time of speaking.
Clarification much appreciated!
P.
Top answer
Hi, I couldn't find the answer to this in my grammar book. Native speakers often use "would have" to describe a real state in the past, even though it sounds like an unreal past conditional sentence. For example: World War 2 was a long time ago.
- Hi, I couldn't find the answer to this in my grammar book.
- Native speakers often use "would have" to describe a real state in the past, even though it sounds like an unreal past conditional sentence.
- For example: World War 2 was a long time ago.
- But my grandmother was born in 1937 so she would have been alive then.
- It sounds totally natural to me but what is the exact meaning of "would have" in this case.
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2 Answers
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Hi,
I couldn't find the answer to this in my grammar book.
Native speakers often use "would have" to describe a real state in the past, even though it sounds like an unreal past conditional sentence.
For example:
World War 2 was a long time ago. But my grandmother was born in 1937 so she would have been alive then.
It sounds totally natural to me but
I couldn't find the answer to this in my grammar book.
Native speakers often use "would have" to describe a real state in the past, even though it sounds like an unreal past conditional sentence.
For example:
World War 2 was a long time ago. But my grandmother was born in 1937 so she would have been alive then.
It sounds totally natural to me but
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pacorbettWorld War 2 was a long time ago. But my grandmother was born in 1937 so she would have been alive then.I don't think there is an "exact meaning". Not an exact paraphrase, if that's what you're looking for.
It sounds totally natural to me but what is the exact meaning of "would have" in this case.
She was born in 1937, so (as
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