bhikkhu1991  +  528520 Tue, 17 Jun 08 11:12 AM Sentence A.   Would you mind if we left now?  (ICAL online modals-requests) Hello, Why does the question uses the past tense 'left' instead of 'leave'? Thank you. With best wishes. bhikkhu1991 Joined on Mon, Mar 31 2008 Full Member 116 Tenses, Modals, Past Tenses

	Marius Hancu  +  528526 Tue, 17 Jun 08 11:24 AM Because it means: Would you mind if we would leave now? [and you need backshifting to achieve that and not Would you mind if we leave now?   Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673 Modals

	CalifJim  +  528909 Wed, 18 Jun 08 04:15 AM bhikkhu1991 “Why does the question uses use the past tense 'left' instead of 'leave'?”   Would you mind if ... ? takes the past tense with present meaning. In fact, other patterns like it also take the past tense. Would you regret it if you left now? Would you be sorry if Jack went without you? This is the "second conditional" (in question form). CJ    CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,434 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Tenses, Modals, Past Tenses, Conditionals