Palinkasocsi  +  459739 Thu, 03 Jan 08 08:14 AM In a grammar book I have found a sentence in the PAST FUTURE or FUTURE OF THE PAST: Margaret would eat all of the ice-cream. What does this sentence mean in the PAST FUTURE? What is PAST FUTURE, anyway? Palinkasocsi Joined on Mon, Nov 26 2007 Hungary Full Member 272 Grammar

	Marius Hancu  +  459746 Thu, 03 Jan 08 09:12 AM It's future in the past. You need more context: Margaret said that she would eat all of the ice-cream. Both verbs are in the past, but the 2nd happens later. This is also seen as reported speech. See: Post:343748 Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673 Verbs

	Marius Hancu  +  459776 Thu, 03 Jan 08 10:29 AM Also, see: http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futureinpast.html http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/grammar/archive/future_past.html Marius Hancu Grammar

	Philip  +  459899 Thu, 03 Jan 08 03:13 PM "We didn't know it at the time, but Margaret would eat all the ice cream." The first verb sets the action in the past; the second verb is yet to happen (future) in reference to the first verb. Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,738 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen Verbs