You might reply vs might have replied
This would be in the context of a discussion with someone where you may have floated some other idea, let's say, "What if I open a clothing store?" And they replied, "I don't think that would work for you." You might reply, "Well, then, what about if I open a restaurant....etc." (https://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatIfVsWhatAboutIf/xllmn/post.htm)
Is the underlined part set in the past? If so, shouldn't the bolded portion be "you might have replied"?
Top answer
Rizan Malik Is the underlined part set in the past? No, this is about an imagined situation, described "as of" the moment that you could have replied. "you might have replied" would be looking back at your possible reply from a future viewpoint, which doesn't flow as well in this context.
- Rizan Malik Is the underlined part set in the past?
- No, this is about an imagined situation, described "as of" the moment that you could have replied.
- "you might have replied" would be looking back at your possible reply from a future viewpoint, which doesn't flow as well in this context.
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Rizan MalikIs the underlined part set in the past?
No, this is about an imagined situation, described "as of" the moment that you could have replied.
"you might have replied" would be looking back at your possible reply from a future viewpoint, which doesn't flow as well in this context.
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