the baby couldn't survive

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New2grammar

#514699 Sat, 17 May 08 05:52 AM

Were it not for the doctor's urgent operation, the baby couldn't survive

I borrowed this sentence from Angliholic.

One thing that bothers me about this sentence is I would never use it in Conditional #2. Instead, Conditional #3 would be perfect.

Had it not for the doctor's urgent operation, the baby couldn't have survived.

I wonder in what context, the Conditional #2 would be used. Could you provide me with one?

Thanks in advance!

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

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Marius Hancu

#514788 Sat, 17 May 08 11:49 AM

I don't think the original is quite correct. Try, in past time:

Were it not for the doctor's urgent operation, the baby couldn't have survived.

or, even better, showing more clearly the sequence of actions:

Had it not BEEN for the doctor's urgent operation, the baby couldn't have survived.

Forget about classifications (conditional 1, etc).

Learn the correct ones by listening to their flow.

We have a contrary-to-fact situation in the above, and that normally requires "have" in the 2nd part.

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

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