were to break

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New2grammar

#525304 Tue, 10 Jun 08 09:10 AM

The increased drainage pushed the Jianjiang River out of its banks, but officials hoped minor flooding now would prevent a catastrophic flood later on, if the dam were to collapse.

An unknown number of people were evacuated in Jiangyou City ahead of the increased outflow, Xinhua reported.

If the dam were to break, it could threaten up to 1.3 million people downstream. More than 250,000 people already have been been evacuated, Xinhua reported.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/06/10/china.quake/index.html

Is the future meaning introduced by "were to" necessary? Would it be bettter to use the simple past "If the dam broke"?

Thanks

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,670)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

Numbers, Simple past

Yoong Liat

#525307 Tue, 10 Jun 08 09:18 AM

It's hypothetical. The writer doesn't think the dam will break.

Yoong Liat

Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006

Singapore

Veteran Member (5,858)

Yoong Liat

New2grammar

#525309 Tue, 10 Jun 08 09:21 AM

I agree. Can I use my version of hypothetical statement?

New2grammar

Yoong Liat

#525310 Tue, 10 Jun 08 09:32 AM

New2grammar

The increased drainage pushed the Jianjiang River out of its banks, but officials hoped minor flooding now would prevent a catastrophic flood later on, if the dam were to collapse.

An unknown number of people were evacuated in Jiangyou City ahead of the increased outflow, Xinhua reported.

If the dam were to break, it could threaten up to 1.3 million people downstream. More than 250,000 people already have been been evacuated, Xinhua reported.

No. Your version suggests that the dam willl probably break.

'Were' is used in the first sentence. Therefore you have to use 'were' in the other sentence.

Yoong Liat

Grammar, Numbers, Simple past

New2grammar

#525311 Tue, 10 Jun 08 09:38 AM

No. Your version suggests that the dam willl probably break. (Really? My version is a typical type 2 conditional)

'Were' is used in the first sentence. Therefore you have to use 'were' in the other sentence. (I should have said that I'll change both for consistency)

New2grammar

Conditionals

Yoong Liat

#525315 Tue, 10 Jun 08 09:50 AM

No. Your version, as I said earlier, will mean the writer thinks the dam will probably break.

Yoong Liat

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