Summer3  +  349807 Thu, 12 Apr 07 05:55 AM Q1: What is the difference between these two? However, there were difficult times ahead... However, there were to be difficult times ahead... Q2: "The job competition is stiff." ---- is the use of "stiff" informal here? Thanks in advance! :-) Summer3 Joined on Thu, Jan 25 2007 New Member 47 Difference Between

	Clive  +  349812 Thu, 12 Apr 07 06:16 AM Hi, Q1: What is the difference between these two? However, there were difficult times ahead...These dificulties exist or are identifiable now. However, there were to be difficult times ahead...They do not exist or can not be identified at the preent time, but the speaker knows that they will be there in the future. Q2: "The job competition is stiff." ---- is the use of "stiff" informal here? No. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,580 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Difference Between

	Matroskin Kot  +  350090 Thu, 12 Apr 07 09:20 PM Regarding Q1: I must disagree with Clive.  I don't think there's a difference.  They look identical to me.  Two ways to say the same thing.  The reason is because we aren't talking in the present tense.  These are both in the past, and the narrative is from the point of view of an observer in the present.  To this observer the situations are identical because the "difficult times" are known.  Likewise, to the person observed the situations are identical because the "difficult times" are not necessarily known in either case. My Humble Opinion... Matroskin Kot Joined on Wed, Apr 11 2007 New Member 18 Matroskin We are no longer happy so soon as we wish to be happier. --Walter Savage Landor Tenses, Present Tenses

	Clive  +  350206 Fri, 13 Apr 07 05:33 AM Hi Matroskin, Welcome to the Forum. I think you have made some valid points about the fact that these statements are set in the past, and that the writer has the advantage of hindsight. I still feel, however, that 'there were to be . . ' suggests more that, at that original point in the past, what came later was not foreseen. In other words, to me there is the suggestion that what came later was unexpected, perhaps came as somewhat of a surprise. If you'll permit me to generalize rashly and be a touch "philosophical", I tend to feel that when there are two ways to say something, there is very often some small, subtle degree of difference between the two. Best wishes, Clive  Clive Difference Between

	Matroskin Kot  +  350484 Fri, 13 Apr 07 04:57 PM Thanks for your comments and welcome, Clive. For what it's worth, I think your diffentiation is correct, if one had to make a differentiation. Cheers! Matroskin Kot

	Marius Hancu  +  350489 Fri, 13 Apr 07 05:21 PM 1) However, there were difficult times ahead... 2) However, there were to be difficult times ahead... To me, they are different. In 2), the reporter mentions that the fate/destiny/God dictated/planned that after the reference time in the past, problems would arise. Those difficult times were meant/intended (by someone powerful enough) to follow. Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673