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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Writing: will vs. would

Suppose I wrote as follows:

The rich are not helping the poor.
If I (change, changed) 'are' above to 'is', (will/would) it be correct?

1. In the writing above, what is the difference in meaning of the sentence between using change-will and changed-would?
2. Being a native speaker, which would you normally choose for the example above?

Thank you for your advice.
  

Top answer

1-- Change/will suggests a greater likelihood of performing those actions. 2-- I'd use changed/would because then the sentence would be wrong, so I'm not likely to make the change.

— Mister Micawber

  • 1-- Change/will suggests a greater likelihood of performing those actions.
  • 2-- I'd use changed/would because then the sentence would be wrong, so I'm not likely to make the change.
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13 Answers
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1-- Change/will suggests a greater likelihood of performing those actions.
2-- I'd use changed/would because then the sentence would be wrong, so I'm not likely to make the change.
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Thank you, Mister Micawber.
Mister Micawber2-- I'd use changed/would because then the sentence would be wrong, so I'm not likely to make the change.
Suppose I don't know whether the change would be correct or wrong, which combination should I use in my question? change/will or changed/would?
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It depends upon your confidence.
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Thank you, Mister Micawber.

1. Suppose I rephrased the sentence to the following, do you think the use of change/changed, again, depends on one's level of confidence?
2. Or should I use is to be consistent with the tense of change?


eg. Is it correct if I change/changed...?

Other examples:
Is it
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1. Suppose I rephrased the sentence to the following, do you think the use of change/changed, again, depends on one's level of confidence?-- Only for your 'e.g.' sentence; the others don't have the 'change/changed' verb in the 'if' clause, so they are irrelevant.

2. Or should I use is to be consistent with the tense of change?-- You have to use past if the main verb is past.
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Again, thank you for your response. This is much clearer now. Just some clarifications, please...
Mister Micawber3. Are the example sentences above correct? -- Yes, as corrected. The original was not subjunctive, either; it was just mixed tenses.
5. Would you say then that the mixed tenses in my original sentence is correct?

Is it correct
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Would you say then that the mixed tenses in my original sentence is correct? Or should I use as follows since you said that I have to use the past when the main verb is past? I believe the same goes for present.-- It depends on when the opportunity to change occurs.


7. By the way is the main verb above 'is/was'?-- Yes
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Mister MicawberQuote
Would you say then that the mixed tenses in my original sentence is correct? Or should I use as follows since you said that I have to use the past when the main verb is past? I believe the same goes for present.-- It depends on when the opportunity to change occurs.
8. I'm sorry, I'm a bit confused about this. Could you please
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I guess it just depends on how I'm viewing the situation.

Is it terrible (now and any time) that I beat my wife (last week)?
Was it terrible (last week) that I beat my wife (last week)?
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Mister MicawberI guess it just depends on how I'm viewing the situation.
This answered all my questions. This makes sense to me now. Thank you.
Mister MicawberIs it terrible (now and any time) that I beat my wife (last week)?
Was it terrible (last week) that I beat my wife (last week)?
Would it be correct
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