Conditional

   Share on Facebook  
CW Tan  #548439  Wed, 30 Jul 08 04:16 AM
Hi teachers,

While I was reading a newspaper, I came across a sentence written like this :

If we don't take these opportunities now, the windows would have closed, others would have seized it, we would have missed the oppotunity.

My question : Why the if-clause is the present real conditional but the main clause is the past unreal conditional? Is that possible?

Shouldn't the sentence be written as follows :

If we don't take these oppotunities now, the windows will be closed, others will seize it, we will miss(or will be missing) the opportunity.

Please enlighten me.

Thank you very much in advance.
  
Not Ranked
Joined on Wed, Jul 30 2008
New Member (01)
26TMNTJG2PG  #548491  Wed, 30 Jul 08 07:23 AM
If we don't take these opportunities now, the windows would have closed, others would have seized it, we would have missed the oppotunity.

The above sentence is correct except I would add an 'and' after the last comma.

The 3 'would's' used therein are indicating in each case a possibility or tendency and not referring to something in the past.
  
Not Ranked
Joined on Wed, Apr 23 2008
Full Member (266)
CalifJim  #548495  Wed, 30 Jul 08 07:29 AM
Welcome to English Forums!

You're right.  The writer was asleep!

The version you wrote is correct.  Smile

CJ 

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member (17,568)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
New2grammar  #548501  Wed, 30 Jul 08 07:33 AM
When I read 26's reply, I thought my understanding of hypothethical tenses was off again. Glad that we're in sync...hehe
  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006
Veteran Member (7,676)
Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?
26TMNTJG2PG  #548617  Wed, 30 Jul 08 01:32 PM
CalifJim
Welcome to English Forums!

You're right.  The writer was asleep!

The version you wrote is correct.  Smile

CJ 

The question is about a Condition, its three different Consequences and Sequence of Tenses but not about the meaning of ‘would’. Your answer is more appropriate and relevant and therefore a correct one. Thank you again, CJ. A thousand apologies to ALL.

  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service