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Latest post Tue, Mar 31 2009 6:11 PM by Avangi. 2 replies.
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danielbeta  +  692916 Tue, 31 Mar 09 05:22 PM
Hi,
Can  you please advise which is the correct sentence in the below example:

Example 1
I was wondering if I send the originals documents, how long will it take before I  get them back.

I was wondering if I sent the originals documents, how long will it take before I  get them back.

Example 2

The Original Documents will be send out as soon as possible.
The Original Documents will be sent out as soon as possible.





Please feel free to point out any other mistakes...



Joined on Tue, Mar 31 2009
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Old Man Gordon  +  692921 Tue, 31 Mar 09 05:57 PM

Welcome to Englishforums!

Example 1.The first one is fine, it's a future conditonal. 

The second should be changed:  If I sent..., how long would....This is a hypothetical conditional, so it uses the subjunctive mood.

 Example 2:

The documents will be sent (not send).  This is a passive construction, which uses be + past participle (sent).

Joined on Fri, Mar 16 2007
Full Member 410
Avangi  +  692926 Tue, 31 Mar 09 06:11 PM
danielbeta
“ Example 1
I was wondering if I send the originals documents, how long will it take before I  get them back.

I was wondering if I sent the originals documents, how long will it take before I  get them back.

Example 2

The Original Documents will be send out as soon as possible.
The Original Documents will be sent out as soon as possible.”
  Hi daniel.  Thanks for joining us.  Welcome to English Forums.

Example 2 is easy.  This verb tense requires the past participle, "sent."

In Example 1, I'm inclined to accept both versions as casual conversation.  I'm sure others will disagree.

In the old days the subjunctive would have been common, "I was wondering if I were to send the original documents etc."  These days, simple past is fine.

Note that you're using "originals" here as an adjective.  In English, the adjective doesn't change number to agree with the noun.  We say "the original documents."

You may also omit "documents," and use "originals" as a noun   -   "if I sent the originals, etc."

And the first version, using present tense, is fine to my ear.

The other thing is that you need to decide if these are questions or statements.  People often use this form conversationally, introducing a question with "I was wondering."

More formally, the statement would be, "I was wondering, if I sent the original documents, how long it would take before I get them back." (The subject is "I")
OR "I am wondering, if I send the original documents, how long it will take before I get them back.
The question would be, "I'm wondering, if I send / sent the original documents, how long will / would it take before I get them back?" (The subject is "it.")

Be sure you note the difference in order:  (question)  How long will /would it take?   (statement)  I wonder how long it will /would take.   
(Your ex. #1 is in question order.)
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