0
English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Would have/had
Hi Guys,
Is there a difference in meaning? What is it?
I invited two of my friends to the party to ensure I would have someone to talk to.
I invited two of my friends to the party to ensure I had someone to talk to.
Is there a difference in meaning? What is it?
I invited two of my friends to the party to ensure I would have someone to talk to.
I invited two of my friends to the party to ensure I had someone to talk to.
Top answer
No, no difference in intent.
- No, no difference in intent.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
0
Hi MM,
Would you say that a person is more likely to use the would + infinitive form if the party is in the future?
I know that had is here in the past tense to agree with 'invited' rather than to signify a finished action but still I'd prefer to use had if the party was in the past and would if it's in the future.
Would you say that a person is more likely to use the would + infinitive form if the party is in the future?
I know that had is here in the past tense to agree with 'invited' rather than to signify a finished action but still I'd prefer to use had if the party was in the past and would if it's in the future.
00
I see what you're saying, but after rolling them off my tongue, I don't think I would make that distinction in real life. In real life, I'd also say '...to ensure I'd have someone..', which I think closes the difference even more.
0
Related Questions