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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Would+verb or simple past

I edited my first post and added the third sentence. Sorry for the duplicate.

I left home early to make sure I had extra time in case I got lost.
I left home early to make sure I would have extra time in case I would get lost.
I left home early to make sure I would have extra time in case I got lost.

Which is proper and natural? Thanks.
  

Top answer

This one is correct: I left home early to make sure I would have extra time in case I got lost. It's possible you will hear this one occasionally in informal situations, but it's non-standard: I left home early to make sure I had extra time in case I got lost.

— RayH

  • This one is correct: I left home early to make sure I would have extra time in case I got lost.
  • It's possible you will hear this one occasionally in informal situations, but it's non-standard: I left home early to make sure I had extra time in case I got lost.
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3 Answers
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This one is correct:

I left home early to make sure I would have extra time in case I got lost.

It's possible you will hear this one occasionally in informal situations, but it's non-standard:

I left home early to make sure I had extra time in case I got lost.
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Okay, thank you for your helpful response. Cheers.
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Hi, Ray

Why do we need 'would'?

Also, if would is necessary for 'would have' why not also for 'would get'?
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